ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Energy Efficiency

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on improving the energy efficiency of households; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: I and my ministerial colleagues have had a number of discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and his ministerial team on the energy efficiency of households and other related issues.

Single Farm Payments

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the oral answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of 9 March 2006, Official Report, column 941, on single farm payments, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary became aware that it would not be possible to make the bulk of payments by the end of March.

Margaret Beckett: I and fellow Ministers were made aware of this on 14 March, which as the hon. Member will be aware led to the removal of the RPA Chief Executive on the 16 March and the appointment of Mark Addison as Acting Chief Executive.

Climate Change

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her plans for meeting the target for carbon dioxide reduction by 2010.

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's UK carbon dioxide targets.

Margaret Beckett: The Government published the 2006 climate change programme on 28 March. The policies and measures in the programme are expected to reduce UK carbon dioxide emissions by 15 to 18 per cent. by 2010 compared with 1990 levels.

Climate Change

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the climate change review.

Elliot Morley: A new climate change programme was published on 28 March. It will advance progress to tackle climate change domestically and to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Flood Defences

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the provision of flood defences for Lewes.

Elliot Morley: Following the floods in 2000, the Environment Agency has completed a flood risk management strategy for the Sussex Ouse and £1.8 million has been spent on reducing flood risk in the Mailing area of Lewes. The Environment Agency Regional Flood Defence Committee is planning further works between the Phoenix Causeway and Cliffe Bridge and in the Cliffe cell.

Flood Defences

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the security of flood prevention in and around the Thames Estuary.

Elliot Morley: London and the Thames Estuary have one of the best tidal defence systems in the world, which provides a high standard of protection from flooding.
	The Environment Agency is currently developing a major flood risk management strategy—Thames Estuary 2100—to look at how we can manage flood risk to London over the next 100 years, taking into account future predicted impacts of climate change.

Water Efficiency

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage greater water efficiency in the home.

Elliot Morley: We have established the new Water Saving Group with key water stakeholders, which has agreed and is making progress on a comprehensive action plan; we are going to consult in summer on regulatory changes to secure improved water efficiency in new housing; and all stakeholders are seeking to educate customers to act responsibly in the use of water.

Water Efficiency

Paul Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department plans to improve water efficiency in housing growth areas.

Elliot Morley: We announced on 28 March that we will consult on proposals to mandate minimum standards of water efficiency in new housing, which will include new housing development in the four growth areas.

Milk Prices

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average farmgate price for milk was in 2005 and 1997.

Jim Knight: The average farmgate price for milk delivered in 1997 was 21.96 pence per litre, while in 2005, it was 18.46 pence per litre.

Recycling and Waste

Andrew MacKay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the performance of local councils in meeting their recycling and waste targets.

Ben Bradshaw: Levels of recycling by local authorities have improved dramatically from the appalling record under the previous Conservative Government. In 1997 only 8 per cent. of household waste was recycled. This year we expect local authorities will achieve the target we set them of 25 per cent.—a more than trebling of recycling since Labour come to power.

Farm Incomes

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average level of farm income was in (a) 1997 and (b) 2005.

Jim Knight: UK Total Income from Farming per full-time person equivalent was £12,500 in 2005 compared to £14,600 in 1997 (when expressed in real terms at 2005 prices).

CFC Recovery

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many licensed CFC recovery sites are still operational in the UK; and how many of these achieve greater than 300g of CFC recovery per domestic refrigerator or freezer;
	(2)  what the average CFC recovery level was per domestic refrigerator or freezer for each year since 2002.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 18 April 2006
	A number of facilities hold Waste Management Licences for the treatment of waste refrigerators. Not all licensed facilities are operational. Typically, there are a dozen specialist facilities recovering CFCs from domestic refrigerators. Some facilities also treat panels from commercial refrigeration equipment.
	Operators of fridge treatment plants are not required to report CFC recovery on a grammes per fridge basis. CFC recovery data for 2005 is currently being assessed and collated and will be available to report to the European Commission by the reporting deadline of 30 June this year.
	A detailed audit of fridge treatment facilities in 2004 concluded that the quantity of controlled substances recovered from the refrigerant and blowing agent equated to approximately 236g per fridge/freezer treated in England and Wales during 2003.

CFC Recovery

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the UK's position in European CFC recovery league tables.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 18 April 2006
	Recovery of CFCs/HCFCs (chlorofluorocarbons/hydrochlorofluorocarbons) in the UK in 2004 (the last year for which figures are available) represented some 25 per cent. of the total CFC/HCFCs estimated to have been recovered in the EU. The UK figure also includes CFC/HCFCs recovered from imported waste refrigerators from elsewhere in the EU.

CFC Recovery

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many tonnes of the CFCs recovered by the UK's licensed facilities have been (a) destroyed and (b) processed to render them harmless to the environment in each year since 2002;
	(2)  what amount of CFC was recovered from domestic and commercial appliances in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate she has made for 2006;
	(3)  how many tonnes of CFC were recovered in 2005; what estimate she has made of the amount which will be recovered in 2006; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  what plans she has to address falling levels of CFC recovery in the UK.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 18 April 2006
	The following information is available on the recovery of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) from all equipment:
	
		
			  Tonnes 
		
		
			 2002 387 
			 2003 494 
			 2004 427 
		
	
	The requirement to recover CFCs and other ozone depleting substances from domestic refrigerators did not come into force until 2002. Recovery levels were not reported or collated for any previous year. CFC recovery data for 2005 is currently being assessed and collated. This will be available in time to meet the European Commission's reporting deadline of 30 June.
	It is not possible to know in advance the levels of CFC recovery from domestic or commercial refrigeration equipment in 2006. The amount available for recovery will be influenced by the number of fridges and freezers presented for treatment, the proportion that contained CFCs when manufactured, and the proportion of CFCs lost in use, storage or transit. Recovery figures for 2006 will be reported during 2007.
	CFCs recovered at fridge treatment plants are converted/destroyed on site or sent to specialist facilities for destruction.

CFC Recovery

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department has issued on the recovery of controlled substances in refrigerators and freezers; what assessment she has made of the impact of the guidance on CFC recovery rates in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency "Guidance on the Recovery and Disposal of Controlled Substances Contained in Refrigerators and Freezers" was published in 2002. The Agencies intend to review this guidance when the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive is implemented.
	The publication of guidance is only one factor which may influence the amount of CFCs recovered in the UK. Other major factors include the number of fridges and freezers presented for treatment, the proportion that contained CFCs when manufactured, and the proportion of CFCs that are lost in use, storage or transit.

Genetically Modified Foods

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on the cultivation of genetically modified foods; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Over recent weeks Defra has received representations on various issues to do with GM crops. These include the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops, the ongoing WTO case on GMOs, and the use of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTs).

Scout Moor Windfarm

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether the development of the Scout Moor windfarm will meet the provisions of the Commons Bill in respect of the protection of and public access to common land.

Jim Knight: These applications are made under section 147 of the Inclosure Act 1845. Consideration is given under these provision to the effect of the exchange on the general public's legal right of access over the land. The future provisions in the Commons Bill are not relevant.

Water Industry Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the operation of section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

Elliot Morley: Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, allows water companies to ban or restrict the use of hosepipes to water private gardens or wash private motor cars. Powers can be used if a company believes there is a serious risk to the amount of water available for distribution to customers.
	A water company imposing a ban or restriction has to give public notice before it comes into force, including details of when it will take effect. Anyone who contravenes a ban or restriction could be fined.

Water Leakage Rates

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action has been taken to reduce leakage rates from water pipes in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) the Three Valleys water area and (d) Hertfordshire.

Elliot Morley: Water companies are under a duty to develop and maintain efficient and economical water supply systems. Ofwat assesses their performance against leakage targets and reports progress each year.
	The areas that you asked about are covered by three different water companies. In 2004–05, Essex and Suffolk Water, which cover areas (a) and (b) met their leakage target and operated below their Economic Level of Leakage (ELL), which is the level of leakage at which it would cost more to make further reductions than to produce water from another source. Three Valleys Water, which covers area (c) and part of area (d) , met their leakage target and operated at their ELL. Thames Water, which covers part of area (d) , reduced its overall leakage for the first time since 1999–2000, but failed its leakage target of 905 Megalitres/day by 10 Megalitres/day (1.1 per cent.).
	It is the responsibility of Ofwat to set and enforce leakage targets. If necessary, Ofwat now has powers to fine companies for leakage failures.

TREASURY

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when he will reply to the letter dated 14 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Julie Reid;
	(2)  when he expects to answer the letter of 14 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. C Hayes.

Ivan Lewis: The Paymaster General will reply to the right hon. Member very shortly.

QinetiQ

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reasons underlay the decision by his Department not to adjust the estimated profile of repayments, when the revenue expected from the QinetiQ loan, as referred to in the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006, pages five and six, was not received in 2004–05.

Des Browne: The estimated profile of repayments on the Aquila Chertsey Loan Note was based on routine data supplied to HM Treasury. For the pre-Budget report 2005 this reflected the slippage out of 2004–05. HMT did not adjust the later years of the profile until MOD were able to confirm the repayments in 2005–06. This was done for Budget 2006.

TRANSPORT

Cycling

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities have included targets for cycling in their local transport plans; and what the targets are for each such authority.

Derek Twigg: The final second round Local Transport Plans, covering the years 2006–11, were received by the Department on 31 March and the process of assessment has only just commenced. Once this process has been completed, I will write to the hon. Member.

Dartford Crossing

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the income from user-charges for the Dartford crossing has been in each of the last five years; and how the surplus after operating costs have been deducted was spent.

Stephen Ladyman: Prior to 1 April 2002 the concessionaire operating the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing retained all toll income.
	Gross toll income received at the crossing for the year to 31 March 2003 amounted to £69.34 million. Under the provisions of the legislation applying to toll income at that time (the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988) all revenue had to be used for the operation and maintenance of the crossing.
	Under the provisions of the Transport Act 2000 a road user-charging scheme has been in operation at the crossing since 1 April 2003. The gross income received is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 2003–04 (1)68.12 
			 2004–05 (1)69.02 
		
	
	(1) Includes rental income and/or interest received.
	The accounts for the period from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 are being prepared and will be published in due course.
	Under the Transport Act 2000, during the 10 year period which started when the scheme came into force, net proceeds may only be used for the purpose of directly or indirectly facilitating the achievement of any policies or proposals relating to transport. All net revenue from the charging scheme therefore accrues to the Department for Transport to support overall expenditure on transport projects.

Dartford Crossing

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of (a) the number of accidents and (b) the congestion caused by vehicles queuing to pass through the toll booths at the Dartford Crossing.

Stephen Ladyman: The agents managing the day-to-day operations of the crossing review injury accident data obtained from the police, every six months and submit a report to the Highways Agency. From this report accident cluster sites are identified and studies commissioned to identify possible mitigating actions.
	The layout of the toll plaza is not designed for free flow conditions, and the toll plazas perform an important safety role in controlling the volume of traffic and speed of vehicles both through the tunnels and away from the bridge.
	The level of congestion at and around the Dartford Crossing is included in the baseline assessment of the Department for Transport's PSA reliability target.

Rail Services (Wales)

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations his Department has received on the First Great Western Trains December 2006 proposed timetable; and how many related to the proposed termination of the 1515 London Paddington to Swansea service at Cardiff.

Derek Twigg: The Department has received approximately 600 representations on the First Greater Western's proposed timetable for December 2006. One was related to the proposed termination of the 15.15 Paddington to Swansea service at Cardiff.

WALES

Departmental Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in his Department in each of the last three years for which data are available were registered as disabled.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office has a small number of staff with disabilities. For privacy reason the numbers are confidential, in line with guidance issued by the Cabinet Office which states that Departments are not required to provide figures on the number of disabled staff where it is less than five in the department.

Grievance Procedures

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  how many grievance procedures have been initiated in his Department in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in his Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld.

Peter Hain: None.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Cricket

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support her Department is providing for cricket in 200607; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Government, through Sport England, continue to provide financial support to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to assist in the delivery of both the professional and amateur game.
	Cricket is one of Sport England's 10 priority sports and they will be investing 8.5 million during 200607. Around 4 million will be provided directly to the ECB to support a number of initiatives including the ECB's four year strategic plan, PE School Sport and Club Links (PESSCL) strategy, Step Into Sport volunteer programme, UK Coaching Certificate programme and the hire of English Institute of Sport facilities. The remaining funding will be provided direct to the sport through schemes such as the Community Club Development Programme, Chance to Shine Programme, County Sports Partnership Funding and Community Funding, and through the National Sports Foundation.

Football (Homophobia)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with football (a) authorities and (b) clubs on tackling homophobia.

Richard Caborn: There has been no ministerial discussion with either the football authorities or clubs on tackling homophobia in football.
	The Government believe that there is no place for homophobia in football or in wider society and we fully support the campaign being led by the Football Association against homophobic abuse in football in England.
	Through their Football For All programme, the FA is publicly committed to making football inclusive and open to all and to eradicate homophobia in the sport through education, effective reporting structures and communication and awareness training.

Olympic Games

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding the Olympic Trust Fund will receive from (a) the Exchequer, (b) the National Lottery and (c) private sources; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Government and the Lottery distributors have initially made 35 million available to establish the trust. We will be looking, over time, to attract significant funding from the private sector to support the trust's projects.

HEALTH

Dentistry

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she plans to make of the provision of national health service dentistry in areas where large numbers of dentists have not signed the new NHS dental contract; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: As of 1 April, primary care trusts (PCTs) have devolved responsibility and funding for the commissioning of primary dental services. This means that, if a dentist ceases to provide national health service dentistry, the resources will remain with the PCT to be re-invested in local dental services.
	The dental reforms will give PCTs greater flexibility to develop services in ways that reflect the needs of their local populations.
	The national implementation group that has been established to monitor the impact of the reforms will be able to review the experience of PCTs in re-commissioning services where it is necessary to do so.

Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was allocated to Dorset and Somerset strategic health authority in each year since 2001.

Caroline Flint: The information in the following tables shows the funding allocation for health authorities and primary care trusts (PCTs) since 2001. From 2003, funding allocation was made to individual PCTs.
	
		Revenue allocations to HAs in Dorset and Somerset strategic health authority 200102 and 200203 -- 000
		
			  200102 200203 
		
		
			 Dorset health authority 526,399 582,186 
			 Somerset health authority 344,794 379,361 
			 Dorset and Somerset SHA 871,193 961,547 
		
	
	
		Revenue allocations to PCTs in Dorset and Somerset SHA from 200304 to 200708 -- 000
		
			  200304 200405 200506 200607 200708 
		
		
			 Bournemouth Teaching 150,577 164,922 180,054 212,879 231,530 
			 Mendip 83,263 91,525 100,068 121,820 135,946 
			 North Dorset 75,209 81,940 88,946 106,648 116,559 
			 Poole 147,167 160,339 174,048 206,103 223,879 
			 Somerset Coast 116,393 127,991 140,301 175,041 195,512 
			 South and East Dorset 132,472 144,375 156,956 188,073 205,872 
			 South Somerset 124,979 136,164 147,807 176,117 192,456 
			 South West Dorset 122,640 134,315 146,636 173,083 190,469 
			 Taunton Deane 86,195 94,443 103,125 125,141 137,943 
			 Dorset and Somerset SHA 1,038,896 1,136,014 1,237,940 1,484,905 1,630,168

General Practitioners

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) general practitioners and (b) NHS dentists there were per head of population in (i) England and (ii) Taunton constituency in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Population data at constituency level is not available. The numbers of general medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) and dentists per 100,000 population have been provided for England and Taunton Deane Primary Care Trust (PCT) are shown as follows.
	
		General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(2) per 100,000 population in England and the specified organisations, 19972004
		
			  England Taunton Deane PCT 
		
		
			 1997 57.6  
			 1998 57.9  
			 1999 58.1  
			 2000 58.1  
			 2001 58.2 95.5 
			 2002 58.8 71.2 
			 2003 60.9 71.4 
			 2004 62.9 73.6 
			 2005   
		
	
	(2) General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted general practitioners, GMS others and PMS others. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	Source:
	The Information Centre for Health and Social Care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics Office for National Statistics 2001 Population Census
	
		General dental services and personal dental services: Number of dentists per 100,000 population in England and the specified organisations as at 30 September 19972005
		
			  England Taunton Deane PCT 
		
		
			 1997 34.3  
			 1998 35.2  
			 1999 36.2  
			 2000 36.9  
			 2001 37.9 58.5 
			 2002 38.2 56.8 
			 2003 38.6 62.9 
			 2004 39.4 63.2 
			 2005(3)(5509080004) 41.7 69.8 
		
	
	(3) Official 2005 population data are not yet available. 2005 data have therefore been estimated using Office for National Statistics 2004 mid-year population estimates based on the 2001 census as these are the latest available.
	(4) Estimate.
	Source:
	The Information Centre for Health and Social Care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics Office for National Statistics 2001 Population Census

Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the range of fees charged by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Service provided by the board Fee payable Relevant article of the order 
		
		
			 Application for the award of a certificate of completion of training (CCT) in a speciality listed in schedule 3 to the order, including pursuant to the competent authority functions of the board 500 200 in respect of a re-submitted application or a review Article 8(1), article 8(4) and article 20(3)(a) 
			
			 Application for the award of a CCT in general practice 500 Article 8(1) and article 8(4) 
			  200 in respect of a re-submitted application or a review  
			
			 Application for a determination that training or qualifications, or both when considered together, are equivalent to a CCT in general practice, including issuing a statement of eligibility for registration if so requested 950 600 in respect of a re-submitted application or a review Article 11(3) and article 11(7) 
			
			 Application for a certificate of acquired rights to practise as a general practitioner 250 125 in respect of review Article 12(3) 
			
			 Application for a determination that an applicant has a particular expertise in a field within a speciality which is not made at the same time as an application referred to in entry 1, 2, 3, 6 or 7 250 Article 13(4)(b) and (5) 
			 Application for a determination that specialist training or specialist qualifications in a speciality listed in schedule 3 to the order, or both when considered together, are equivalent to a CCT in the speciality in question, including issuing a statement of eligibility for registration if so requested 950 600 in respect of a re-submitted application or a review Article 14(4) and article 14(11) 
			
			 Application for a determination that   
			 (a) specialist training undertaken or specialist qualifications awarded outside the United Kingdom in a medical speciality not listed in schedule 3 to the order; or 950 600 in respect of a re-submitted application or a review Article 14(5) and article 14(11) 
			 (b) knowledge of or experience in a medical speciality derived from academic or research work has given a person a level of knowledge and skill consistent with practice as a consultant in the national health service including issuing a statement of eligibility for registration if so requested   
			 Application for a duplicate copy of any certificate issued by the specialist training authority (STA), the joint committee on postgraduate training in general practice (JCPTGP) or the board 75 Article 24(1) 
			 Application for a certificate relating to training in the UK in certain specialities 150 Article 20(l)(b) 
			 Application for a certificate to a person holding specialist qualifications not satisfying the requirements of the directive, awarded following training begun before the relevant date referred to in article 15(2), by the UK, or where the person holding that qualification has practised that speciality in the UK 250 Article 20(3)(b) 
			 Application for a certificate of fulfilment of directive training requirements in respect of qualifications which do not conform with the designations set out in the directive 150 Article 20(3)(c) 
			 Application to an appeal panel for the determination of an appeal against a decision of the board 1,400 (written appeal) 2,100 (oral appeal) Article 21(1) 
			
			 Application for a certificate of completion of specialist training (CCST) in accordance with article 6 of the European Specialist Medical Qualifications Order (ESMQO) 1995 where a person has applied to the STA for a CCST and the application has not been determined before the relevant date (unless the fee prescribed by the STA has previously been paid to the STA in respect of that application) 250 Paragraph 11(a) of schedule 8 to the order 
			 Application for the determination of an appeal against a refusal by the board to award a CCST in accordance with article 13(1) of the ESMQO 1995 700 (written appeal) 1,400 (oral appeal) Paragraph 11(b) of schedule 8 to the order 
			
			 Application for a determination of eligibility for entry to the specialist register in accordance with article 9(2) or (3) of the ESMQO 1995 where a person has applied to the STA and the application has not been determined before the relevant date (unless the fee prescribed by the STA has previously been paid to the STA) 950 Paragraph 12(a) of schedule 8 to the order 
			 Application for the determination of any appeal against a decision of the board under article 9(2) or (3) of the ESMQO 1995 700 (written appeal) 1,400 (oral appeal) Paragraph 12(b) of schedule 8 to the order 
			
			 Application for the determination of an appeal against a decision of the STA, lodged before the relevant date, to be determined in accordance with the relevant article of the ESMQO 1995 (unless the fee prescribed by the STA has previously been paid to the STA in respect of that application) 700 (written appeal) 1,400 (oral appeal) Paragraph 14 of schedule 8 to the order 
			
			 Application for a statement of training, qualifications and experience in respect of which a certificate has been issued by the board, the STA or the JCPTGP 150 Article 24(1)

Sexual and Reproductive Health

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 805W on sexual and reproductive health, how many officials provide the secretariat for the advisory group; what the grade is of each is, and what the cost was to her Department in each year since 200304.

Caroline Flint: The secretariat for the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV is shared between vice chairs of the group, with support from the Department as required, mainly in facilitation of the quarterly meetings of the group.
	The cost of the support from the Department is less that 15,000 per annum.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect of the closure of Citizens Advice Bureaux on local communities.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department is not responsible for local Citizens Advice Bureaux each of which is an independent charity. The DTI provide 23.6 million in grant aid to Citizens Advice in 200506. The DTI has made no assessment of the effect of the closure of Citizens Advice Bureaux on local communities.

Energy Pre-Payment (Domestic Customers)

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to address the additional charges levied on domestic energy customers using pre-payment meters; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The charges applied to pre-payment meters reflect the additional costs of the meter itself and the infrastructure required to support it. Any enforced reduction in the charges applied to pre-payment meters would have to be cross-subsidised by other customers, including pensioners and the fuel poor, the majority of whom do not use pre-payment meters. Pre-payment tariffs of individual suppliers vary, and, where customers prefer to retain a pre-payment meter, they may be able to reduce their expenditure by switching supplier.

Fuel Poverty Initiatives

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of social programmes aimed at alleviating fuel poverty offered by the six major domestic energy supply companies;
	(2)  what role he expects the six major domestic energy supply companies to play in tackling fuel poverty, beyond their energy Efficiency Commitment Priority Group obligations; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what criteria are used by an energy supply company to class a tariff as a social tariff.

Malcolm Wicks: Each of the major domestic energy suppliers offer a number of programmes that assist vulnerable customers in various ways. The actual definition of a social tariff varies from company to company but is generally a lower price tariff directed towards a subset of vulnerable customers. It is for suppliers, not the Government, to design and set such tariffs.
	Although information from individual suppliers about take-up of particular schemes is commercially confidential, an annex to the Government's UK Fuel Poverty Strategy Fourth Annual Progress Report, to be published later this year, will include information about the overall impacts of company schemes in 2004 and 2005. This will include information about actions companies have taken in 2004 and 2005 beyond their Energy Efficiency Priority Group obligations.
	We continue to encourage energy companies to consider their most vulnerable consumers when considering price or service changes. I therefore welcome the trust funds and social tariffs announced, but continue to urge energy companies to do more.

Heating Fuel Costs

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much the cost of heating fuel has changed in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 18 April 2006
	Percentages real terms year-on-year price changes for those fuels used in the domestic sector are shown in the following table.
	
		Year-on-year percentage price changes since 1997 -- Fuel
		
			  Coal and smokeless fuels Gas Electricity Heating oils Total fuel and light 
		
		
			 1996 to 1997 -2 -4 -8 -5 -6 
			 1997 to 1998 -2 -6 -7 -19 -7 
			 1998 to 1999 0 -3 -3 +10 -3 
			 1999 to 2000 0 -4 -3 +39 -2 
			 2000 to 2001 +2 0 -3 ' -5 -2 
			 2001 to 2002 +2 +3 -3 -8 0 
			 2002 to 2003 -1 -1 -2 +8 -1 
			 2003 to 2004 +3 +5 +4 +12 +5 
			 2004 to 2005 +8 +10 +7 +26 +11 
		
	
	Source:
	Retail Price Index, Office for National Statistics

Home Computing Initiative

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions the Department has had with the Treasury on the abolition of Home Computing Initiative tax relief.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 30 March 2006
	My Department has had a number of discussions with the Treasury on Budget issues relevant to DTI, including the Home Computing Initiative.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to (a) Beresfords, (b) UDM, (c) Vendside, (d) Wake Smith and (e) AMS Law for noise-induced hearing loss claims in each year since 2000; and what the average payment was in each case.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 April 2006
	The costs payments made are set out in the table:
	
		
			  Solicitor Solicitor payments made Total solicitors costs () Average () 
		
		
			 2000 Beresfords 61 52,330 858 
			 2001 Beresfords 1,314 902,897 687 
			 2002 Beresfords 411 287,524 700 
			 2003 Beresfords 336 299,029 890 
			 2004 Beresfords 437 544,608 1,246 
			 2005 Beresfords 650 699,678 1,076 
			 2006(5) Beresfords 65 71,779 1,104 
			  
			 2000 UDM/Vendside(6) 1,222 684,846 560 
			 2001 UDM/Vendside 2,757 1,666,900 605 
			 2002 UDM/Vendside 2,130 1,327,737 623 
			 2003 UDM/Vendside 793 602,626 760 
			 2004 UDM/Vendside 833 667,124 801 
			 2005 UDM/Vendside 1,150 951,274 827 
			 2006 UDM/Vendside 424 356,483 841 
			  
			 2000 Wake Smith 1 1,500 1,500 
			 2001 Wake Smith 15 16,032 1,069 
			 2002 Wake Smith 6 5,768 961 
			 2003 Wake Smith 2 1,868 934 
			 2004 Wake Smith 20 59,336 2,967 
			 2005 Wake Smith 16 3,321 2,708 
			 2006 Wake Smith 1 2,000 2,000 
			  
			 2000 AMS Law 170 109,219 642 
			 2001 AMS Law 97 62,195 641 
			 2002 AMS Law 78 59,619 764 
			 2003 AMS Law 46 37,946 825 
			 2004 AMS Law 55 53,784 978 
			 2005 AMS Law 34 29,512 868 
			 2006 AMS Law 3 2,569 856 
		
	
	(5) 2006 figures reflect the position up to 16 April 2006
	(6) The Union of Democratic Mineworkers register claims on behalf of their members. Vendside operate a claims handling company on behalf of the UDM and as such administration of claims is processed via Vendside Limited

Noise Induced Hearing Loss Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants have been paid for noise-induced hearing loss in (a) Bassetlaw and (b) Nottinghamshire since 1999.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 April 2006
	The number of claimants paid for noise-induced hearing loss since 1999 is 1,389 in Bassetlaw and 11,163 in Nottinghamshire 1 .
	1 Nottinghamshire covers the constituencies of Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Gedling, Mansfield, Newark, Nottingham East, Nottingham North, Nottingham South, Rushcliffe and Sherwood

Noise Induced Hearing Loss Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what agreements on costs have been reached for noise-induced hearing loss claims with (a) Beresfords, (b) Wake Smith, (c) AMS Law, (d) UDM and (e) Vendside; and when each agreement (i) began and (ii) will end.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 April 2006
	The Department's agreement on costs for noise-induced hearing loss claims with Beresfords was reached in December 2000 and ended in March 2002. The current agreement with the UDM was reached in May 2003, is ongoing, and covers claims originating with the Union but submitted by either their claims handling company, Vendside, or the solicitors AMS Law. We do not have an agreement with Wake Smith.

Social Tariffs

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with representatives of gas and electricity supply companies on improving the information on social tariffs provided to customers.

Malcolm Wicks: DTI officials and I have regular contact with all of the major energy supply companies and their trade organisation, the Energy Retail Association, on a wide range of issues, including the introduction of social tariffs by energy companies. With DTI's encouragement, the energy suppliers established the Home Heat helpline, which, among other things, provides customers with advice on the most appropriate tariff, including information on social tariffs. It is for individual suppliers to determine how best to market their tariffs.

Telephone Preference Service Regulations

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many letters the Information Commissioner's Office has sent to date to (a) companies that have had in excess of 50 complaints made against them under telephone preference service regulations and (b) to companies breaching telephone preference service regulations.

Alun Michael: The Information Commissioner is responsible for administering the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Regulation 21 of these regulations relates to unsolicited direct marketing telephone calls. It should be note that complaints received by his office about breaches of Regulation 21 concern calls made to Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registered numbers and also organisation not to make marketing calls to that number.
	Due to the nature of the casework management system used by the Information Commissioner's Office he is unable to identify companies about which more than 40 complaints have been received about alleged breaches of Regulation 21 and is therefore unable to identify how many letters have been sent to companies about which more than 50 such complaints have been received.
	To date, the Information Commissioner has written to organisations in 1,754 cases regarding an alleged breach of Regulation 21.
	So far the Information Commissioner has been able to deal with complaints relating to alleged breaches of Regulation 21 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, through informal resolution with the organisations concerned. Information Commissioner has not needed to initiate formal enforcement action against any organisation for breaching Regulation 21. As most cases have been resolved at any early stage of their proceedings.

Telephone Service Providers

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints about telephone cold calling were made against (a) the Labour party, (b) the Conservative party, (c) the Scottish National party and (d) the Green party since the introduction of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) 2003; and on how many occasions the Information Commissioner has initiated formal action in response to these complaints.

Alun Michael: The Information Commissioner is responsible for administering the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Regulation 21 of these regulations relates to unsolicited direct marketing telephone calls. It should be noted that complaints received by his office about breaches of Regulation 21 concern not just calls made to Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registered numbers but also calls made to numbers where the subscriber has directly asked the calling organisation not to make marketing calls to that number. Also, Regulation 19 relates to the use of unsolicited direct marketing automated telephone calls.
	The number of complaints about telephone cold calling made against the parties since the introduction of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) in 2003 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 (a) Labour party  
			 Total Regulation 19 complaints 16 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 Total Regulation 21 complaints 4 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			 (b) Conservative party(7)  
			 Total Regulation 19 complaints 5 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 19 complaints 5 
			 Total Regulation 21 complaints 8 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			   
			 (c) Scottish National party(8)  
			 Total Regulation 19 complaints 5 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 19 complaints 5 
			 Total Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			   
			 (d) Green party  
			 Total Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 Total Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			   
			 (e) Liberal Democrats  
			 Total Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 Total Regulation 21 complaints 1 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			   
			 (f) UKIP  
			 Total Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 Total Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			   
			 (g) Plaid Cymru  
			 Total Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 Total Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			   
			 (h) Respect  
			 Total Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 19 complaints 0 
			 Total Regulation 21 complaints 0 
			 'Upheld' Regulation 21 complaints 0 
		
	
	(7) In 2005 the Information Commissioner issued one enforcement notice under Regulation 19 against the Conservative party.
	(8) In 2005 the Information Commissioner issued one enforcement notice under Regulation 19 against the Scottish National party.
	Note:
	The term 'Upheld' also includes cases where the Information Commissioner decided that enforcement action was not appropriate even though there may have been some breach of the regulations.

Telephone Service Providers

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  against how many UK companies more than 50 complaints have been made under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003;
	(2)  on how many occasions the Information Commissioner has taken against firms in breach of telephone preference service rules; and whether the Information Commissioner has taken action against firms about which he has received more than 50 complaints.

Alun Michael: The Information Commissioner is responsible for administering the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Regulation 21 of these regulations relates to unsolicited direct marketing telephone calls. It should be note that complaints received by his office about breaches of Regulation 21 concern calls made to Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registered numbers and also organisation not to make marketing calls to that number.
	Due to the nature of the casework management system used by the Information Commissioner's Office he is unable to identify companies about which more than 40 complaints have been received about alleged breaches of Regulation 21 and is therefore unable to identify how many letters have been sent to companies about which more than 50 such complaints have been received.
	To date, the Information Commissioner has written to organisations in 1,754 cases regarding an alleged breach of Regulation 21.
	So far the Information Commissioner has been able to deal with complaints relating to alleged breaches of Regulation 21 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, through informal resolution with the organisations concerned. Information Commissioner has not needed to initiate formal enforcement action against any organisation for breaching Regulation 21. As most cases have been resolved at any early stage of their proceedings.

Vibration White Finger

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many miners' claims for (a) vibration white finger and (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been pursued by solicitors through common law since 1999.

Malcolm Wicks: Since 1999, 178 vibration white finger and 25 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims have been pursued through common law.

DEFENCE

Courts Martial

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average waiting time was for a case to go to court martial in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy (c) Royal Air Force in 2005.

Don Touhig: pursuant to the reply, 13 March 2006, Official Report, c. 1945W
	The following notes should have appeared after the list.
	Notes:
	1. Royal Navy figure shows the average delay between charge and appearing at court martial and the year in which court martial was convened. 2. Army figure shows the average delay between the date of the offence and appearing at court martial and the year in which the court martial was convened. 3. Royal Air Force figure shows the average delay between the point that the case papers are received by the Court Administration Unit (which administers arrangements for the court martial) to the trial date and appearing at court martial) and the cases that commenced in 2005.

Defence Intelligence and Security Centre

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Government Departments which sent officials on courses run by the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre in 200405.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre provides training primarily for the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence. In 200405, the following Government Departments sent officials on courses run by the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre:
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	Home Office

Defence Intelligence and Security Centre

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many US personnel are based at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre.

Adam Ingram: There are two US personnel based at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre.

Qinetiq

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms were of the loan agreed with Qinetiq, referred to in the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006, pages five and six.

John Reid: The detailed terms of the loan are contained in the Aquila/Chertsey loan note, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House. Qinetiq's payments to the Ministry of Defence were staged in line with the sale receipts received. The loan has now been repaid in full.

Qinetiq

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the 'specific properties' were on which the Qinetiq loan referred to on page five of the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006 was secured.

John Reid: The properties were the sites at Aquila (Bromley) and Chertsey. Further details can be found in the Aquila/Chertsey Loan Note, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

Qinetiq

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the loan taken out by Qinetiq referred to in pages 5 and 6 of the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006 was first made public.

John Reid: The loan note was first made public during the Defence Select Committee evidence session of 21 January 2003 on the Qinetiq PPP, (para. 91 of the Defence Committee Minutes of Evidence of 21 January 2003 refers), as the note was to form part of the consideration for the sale of Qinetiq to Carlyle in February 2003.

Qinetiq

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what penalties were incurred by Qinetiq for failure to pay the 200405 repayments on the loan referred to on pages 5 and 6 of the National Audit Office's Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006;
	(2)  what the timetable is for Qinetiq's repayment of the remaining 46 million of the loan referred to on page seven of the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006;
	(3)  for what reasons Qinetiq did not meet the expected timetable of repayments in 2004 for the loan note secured on the sale of 'specific properties', referred to on pages five and six of the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006.

John Reid: holding answer 30 March 2006
	There were no penalties, and no fixed term for the repayment of the loan referred to in the National Audit Office's Audit. This was the Aquila/Chertsey Loan Note, between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Qinetiq, which formed part of the receipt from the initial sale of a minority equity interest in Qinetiq to Carlyle in 2003. The loan note was secured against the sale of Qinetiq property at Aquila (Bromley) and Chertsey. No firm schedule of repayments could be laid down as the income from the sale was conditional on the achievement of various stages of planning permission, and so the Budget assumptions were based on estimates of time scales for this planning permission. These original estimates were not achieved, and hence payments to be made by Qinetiq to the MOD slipped.
	The loan note has been repaid in stages with the bulk of the money, some 43.5 million being paid in September 2005, and the final outstanding amount, some 2.5 million being paid at the end of March 2006.

Macedonia

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the bid by Macedonia to join NATO; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK welcomes Macedonia's bid to join NATO. Macedonia is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace and has a Membership Action Plan. We look forward to her eventual membership. But, as for all applicants, Macedonia must first meet the membership criteria in full. Good progress is being made in defence reform, although further work is needed. Political conditionality is also important. This includes full implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, and reform of the economy and the judiciary. The proper conduct of parliamentary elections later this year will be an important element in meeting the political conditionality requirements.

Nuclear Equipment (Waste)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total amount of waste produced by nuclear submarines and their reactors has been over the last 30 years.

Adam Ingram: No central records are held on the total amount of waste produced by nuclear submarines and their reactors over the last 30 years. However, records held by individual sites in the UK involved in the nuclear submarine programme show that since 1988, the earliest date for which records are available, 3,344 m 3 of Low Level Radioactive Waste (before treatment and super-compaction) and 114 m 3 of Intermediate Radioactive Waste has been produced.
	The United Kingdom Radioactive Waste Inventory to which the Ministry of Defence contributes provides periodic snapshots on all radioactive waste stocks, including levels of waste, location and whether the waste is held in temporary or permanent storage. The inventory has previously been published to show snapshots of waste stocks in 1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989, 1991, 1994, 1998 and 2001, and a copy of the most recent inventory, for 2004, is available on Nirex's website at http://www.nirex.co.uk/foi/ukinvent/.

Nuclear Equipment (Waste)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total amount of waste produced from nuclear warheads that have been decommissioned has been over the last 30 years.

Adam Ingram: The amount of waste arising specifically from the decommissioning of nuclear warheads is not recorded separately from waste arising from other phases of the programme. The information requested cannot therefore be provided.
	Records of radioactive wastes for the totality of the nuclear warhead programme are published periodically by NIREX in the Nuclear Waste Inventory sponsored by DEFRA. The latest issue is dated 19 January 2006 and is available at http://www.nirex.co.uk.

Pensions

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to question 61540, on pension rights, what employment status members of the reserve forces are classed as having.

Don Touhig: Members of the reserve forces are part of the armed forces of the Crown and the power to maintain them is found in section 1 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996. That Act provides a number of different forms of service which reservists may undertake. The conditions of service which reservists serve under reflect the form of service undertaken.

Pensions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to advise relatives of deceased armed services personnel to seek independent legal advice before signing pensions contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: Dependants of deceased service personnel do not have to sign a pension contract to receive death benefits from the armed forces pension schemes. The benefits are paid in accordance with the terms of the appropriate pension scheme. The only requirement is for the dependant to confirm they are an eligible beneficiary and to sign a claim form to that effect. The Ministry of Defence already advises in its explanatory armed forces pension booklets that, if individuals require financial or legal advice regarding pension matters, they should seek independent advice.

Submarines (Astute Class)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects Astute class submarines (a) HMS Ambush and (b) HMS Artful to come into service.

Adam Ingram: HMS Ambush is expected to enter service in 2010, and HMS Artful in 2012.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Renewable Energy

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what renewable energy projects his Department is supporting in developing countries.

Gareth Thomas: DFID is committed to increasing access to reliable and affordable energy as an essential catalyst for reducing poverty and increasing economic growth in developing countries. We agree that renewable energy has an increasingly important role to play in helping developing countries make progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.
	DFID is working with international networks such as the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) and the EU energy initiative (EUEI) to promote access to affordable energy services, drawing on the full menu of technology options, including renewable energy.
	DFID has supported the creation of a new 220 million EU energy facility, which will invite calls for proposals later this year. This grant fund aims to improve access to reliable and affordable energy, especially in Africa, and is encouraging viable renewable energy proposals.
	We are also encouraging the World Bank and other development partners to give renewable energy greater attention as part of their efforts to improve access to energy.
	The World Bank is scaling up its financial support for renewable energy and energy efficiency and announced in December 2005, a rise to $299 million for the year to June 2005, compared to an average of $209 million per annum over the previous three years. These figures exclude large hydropower projects and exceed the commitment they made in 2004 to increase their renewable energy and energy efficiency investments by 20 per cent. per annum over the next five years. We very much welcome this increased investment by the World Bank on clean energy.
	DFID has provided around 3.4 million for renewable energy research projects in the last eight years. This was spent on the development and promotion of renewable energy, especially for rural communities. It has included a wide range of technologies such as wind, small hydropower, solar and biomass.

Sri Lanka

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution the UK is making towards the efforts to destroy landmines in Sri Lanka.

Gareth Thomas: The United Kingdom is a major contributor to mine action in Sri Lanka. We have provided 1 million through the United Nations to support demining and mine awareness in conflict affected areas. A further 669,766 has been committed to two non governmental organisations (NGOs), the Mine Action Group and the HALO Trust, for mine action between 2004 and 2007.
	The programmes, together with those from the wider international community, have been successful. Deaths from mines have been largely eliminated, although there are still a small number of casualties each year, especially in the far north of Sri Lanka. Nevertheless the Government estimate that some 700,000 to 1,000,000 mines remain to be cleared.
	Given the dependence upon mines in militarily significant areas, it will be many more years before Sri Lanka will be landmine free, and before the Government will feel able to sign the Ottawa Treaty. The Government of Sri Lanka is planning to create within the Sri Lankan army, a national capability to pursue mine action work after 2008. DFID will review progress during 2007 and, in the light of this, consider further support.

World Cup (Complimentary Tickets)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many complimentary tickets his Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Hilary Benn: None.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Media Briefing

Norman Baker: To ask the Leader of the House under what circumstances Ministers are permitted to release material to media outlets in advance of a statement being made to Parliament, when the House is sitting.

Geoff Hoon: Paragraph 7.1 of the Ministerial Code makes it clear that
	When Parliament is in session, the most important announcements of Government policy should be made, in the first instance, in Parliament.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Financial Assistance Scheme

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) average, (b) highest and (c) lowest payment made to individuals under the Financial Assistance Scheme has been; what the equivalent figures are for recipients living in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Financial Assistance Scheme will provide a qualifying member with assistance that will top up their scheme pension to a level broadly equivalent to 80 per cent. of their expected pension. Payments are subject to a de minimis level and a cap. Initial payments, when made, provide a top up to 60 per cent. of expected pension.
	The following monthly payments have been made, before deduction of income tax.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 (a) average 190.34 
			 (b) highest 629.84 
			 (c) lowest 50.08 
		
	
	The equivalent figures for recipients living in Wales are
	
		
			   
		
		
			 (a) average 196.21 
			 (b) highest 629.84 
			 (c) lowest 50.08

Jobcentre Plus

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the (a) public, (b) private and (c) voluntary sector organisations which have contracts with Jobcentre Plus.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking if he will list the (a) public (b) private and (c) voluntary sector organisations which have contracts with Jobcentre Plus. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Information on contracts awarded prior to September 2005 is not broken down in the way in which you have requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, I am able to provide a list of organisations to which Jobcentre Plus has awarded contracts since September 2005, broken down by legal status, and this is set out in the attached table.
	I hope this is helpful.
	
		Table of contracts let since September 2005 to organisations listed by legal status
		
			 Company name Legal status 
		
		
			 Cornwall College Further Education College 
			 Lauder College Further Education College 
			 New College Nottingham Further Education College 
			 Plymouth College of Further Education Further Education College 
			 Preston College Further Education College 
			 Stephenson College Further Education College 
			 York College Further Education College 
			 Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Statutory BodyLocal Authority 
			 Bolton Metropolitan Council Statutory BodyLocal Authority 
			 East Lindsey District Council Statutory BodyLocal Authority 
			 Halton Borough Council Statutory BodyLocal Authority 
			 Northamptonshire County Council Statutory BodyLocal Authority 
			 West Lothian Council Statutory BodyLocal Authority 
			 Blackburn and Darwen Primary Care Trust Statutory BodyNHS 
			 Remploy Executive Non-Departmental Public Body 
			 DASH Training Partnership PartnershipUnlimited 
			 Bradford Cathedral Centre Limited Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Cheshire Deaf Society Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Claverhouse Training Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Connexions Staffordshire Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Connexions West of England Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 CPR Regeneration Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Derbyshire Chamber and Business Link Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Ellingham Employment Services Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Glasgow Mentoring Network Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Highways to Opportunities Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Instant Muscle Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 JHP Training Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 NECTA Ltd. Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 North East Chamber of Commerce Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Northumberland Business Services Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Nottingham Mencap Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 O-Regen Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Pendle Re-Employment Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Pentreath Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Phoenix Enterprises Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Quest For Economic Development Ltd. Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Sabre Employment Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Scout Enterprises (Western) Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Support Training Ltd. Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Sure Start North Prospect LARK Project Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 TBG Learning Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Training) Ltd. Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Training 2000 Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Training West Lancashire Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Upturn Enterprises Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 West Cumbria Trades Hall Centre Private Company (limited by guarantee) 
			 Action for Employment Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 ATS Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 BTCV Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Business Employment Services Training Limited Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Care Training Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Career Development Centre 3rivate Company (limited by shares) 
			 CeeMac Projects UK Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 City and County Training Limited Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Community Systems Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Cullisvale Services Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 DHP Enterprise Limited Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Easton Learning Centre Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 ERP Ltd. Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Fern Training and Development Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Hargreaves Training Services Ltd. Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Inspire to Independence Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Keeping It Simple Training Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Kennedy Scott Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Lake District Training Academy Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Local Labour Initiative for Training and Enterprise (Llite) Limited Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Management Introductions Ltd. Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Manchester Training Ltd. Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Newquay for Excellence Training Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 OTR Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Pelcombe Limited Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Personnel Evaluation Consultants Limited Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Pertemps Mouzer Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 positive people Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Reed in Partnership plc Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Seetec Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Shackleton Associates Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Skills Training Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Standguide Ltd. Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Support into Work Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 The JGA Group Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 TNG Mentoring Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 TNG Workskills Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Tony Walsh Associates Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Triage Central Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Twin Training International Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Wakefield Environmental Developments Limited Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Working Links Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 WTCS Private Company (limited by shares) 
			 Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Private Body Under Royal Charter 
			 BBC Public Body Under Royal Charter 
			 Tribal Group Public Limited Company (PLC) 
			 Aberdeen Foyer Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 Action for Blind People Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 Bootstrap Enterprises Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 DISC Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 East Lancashire into Employment Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 Eco Actif Services Social Enterprise Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 One Plus Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 PROSPECTS The National Autistic Society Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 Rainer City Training Solent Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 RNID Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 Rochdale Building Trades Agency Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 Royal Mencap Society Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 Shaw Trust Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 Somerset Council for Christian Care Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 The Dyslexia Institute Ltd. Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 The Wise Group Voluntary and Community SectorCharity 
			 YBT Trust Voluntary and Community SectorCharity

Pension Service

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether it is the policy of the Pension Service to refuse to accept telephone call claims for pension credit from citizens advice bureaux' advisers on behalf of clients.

Stephen Timms: The Pension Service welcomes calls from Citizens Advice Bureaux and any third parties acting on behalf of our customers. Third party callers are expected to confirm their client's security identity and their authority to speak on the client's behalf. Once this has been confirmed, the application is taken as normal.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Colin Worton

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the police handling of the Colin Worton case.

David Hanson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has reviewed Mr. Worton's case and taken account of the assessment made by the trial judge and the Police Ombudsman and has concluded that there is no evidence of serious default by the police. The Secretary of State has written to Mr. Worton advising him of the decision in his case.

Illegal Drugs

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2006, Official Report, column 778W, on illegal drugs, how many of those convicted for drug-related offences served custodial sentences.

David Hanson: The table provides the number of those convicted of drug-related offences who were sentenced to immediate custody from 2000 to 2003. Sentence data beyond 2003 are currently not available.
	
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Importing 1 0 0 0 
			 Distributing 81 65 44 56 
			 Other 41 23 22 23 
			 Total 123 88 66 79 
		
	
	Source:
	The Northern Ireland Office

IntertradeIreland

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will commission an independent review into the management and operation of IntertradeIreland.

Angela Smith: I am aware of recent anonymous allegations about the financial management and other matters in IntertradeIreland. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in conjunction with the Southern co-sponsor Department and the Board of IntertradeIreland, has already initiated urgent inquiries into the issues raised in the letter.

Saville Report

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Saville Report will be published.

David Hanson: The independent Bloody Sunday Inquiry has informed me that they are now engaged in compiling their final report. Due to the vast amount of evidence that must be considered this is a very time consuming process and it is difficult at this stage to be precise about when the report will be presented to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Acholi People

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to assist the Acholi people of Uganda who have been internally displaced and are living in camps.

Ian Pearson: The Acholi are one of the biggest communities affected by the long-running and brutal conflict in northern Uganda. In some of the affected districts over 90 per cent. of the population are displaced by the conflict and in total 1.7 million Ugandans are living in camps for internally displaced people.
	The Ugandan Government have primary responsibility to protect its citizens and to deal with the conflict and its humanitarian consequences. The UK has helped lead international efforts to address the underlying causes of the problems in northern Uganda and to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected, including the Acholi.
	Over the last 12 months we have provided over 20 million in humanitarian assistance; this includes 10.7 million to the World Food Programme to provide food and 6.8 million to support a UN inter-agency programme to address health problems in the camps. We have recently agreed to channel an additional 4.9 million over two years to the United Nations Children's Fund's (UNICEF) programmes covering water and sanitation and the provision of emergency requirements, such as shelter and protection.

Arab League Summit

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the outcome of the recent Arab League summit in Khartoum; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Arab League summit took place in Khartoum on 2829 March. The summit covered a wide range of issues but focussed on the situation in Darfur and the Middle East Peace Process.
	We welcome the focus of the recent Arab League summit on the situation in Darfur. It is important that the Arab League and its member states do all they can, in co-ordination with the rest of the international community, to help resolve the conflict in Darfur. In particular, we call on them to use their influence to press the Government of Sudan and the rebel movements to reach a peace deal by the deadline of 30 April as set by the African Union.
	The Arab League's re-endorsement of the Beirut Declaration at the Arab summit in Khartoum is also a welcome step. We look forward to working with the Arab League, Israel and the Palestinian Authority towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a two state solution with Israeli and Palestinian states living side by side in peace.

Ascension Island

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he and (b) officials from his Department have had on the future of Ascension Island since 14 March 2006; and with whom the discussions were held.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not held discussions on the future of Ascension Island since 14 March 2006.
	Officials in London have met with the following interlocutors to discuss a range of issues related to Ascension Island:
	21 March 2006
	The Administrator of Ascension Island
	A member of the public and constituent of Mr. Cable
	22 March 2006
	Representatives of the User Organisations on Ascension Island
	(Permanent Joint Headquarters (Ministry of Defence), VT
	Merlin, Government Communications Headquarters, Cable and
	Wireless, Crown Counsel Designate, St Helena)
	28 March 2006
	Overseas Territories Department (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) internal meeting
	29 March 2006
	Managing Director and Director, Richard James International
	30 March 2006
	Director of Finance, Ascension Island
	The administrator on Ascension Island met the US base commander and his immediate superior from Patrick air force base on 4 April 2006.

Belarus

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions the UK Government has made representations to the Government of Belarus in the past 12 months regarding oppression of people on the grounds of religious belief in that country.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer of 18 April 2006
	The Government continues to raise human rights issues with the Belarusian authorities, both bilaterally and together with EU partners. During the past 12 months we raised the case of one Protestant church on four separate occasions and restrictions on freedom of worship in general on at least 12 occasions. Freedom of worship was also referred to in a resolution critical of Belarus' human rights record sponsored by the EU at the April 2005 UN Commission on Human Rights. Our ambassador in Minsk also met with leaders of churches under pressure from the authorities to hear their concerns.

Burma (IDPs)

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of internally displaced persons in Burma; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: It is estimated that there are at least 540,000 internally displaced persons in Burma, though detailed information is hard to obtain. We are aware of renewed large-scale displacements in northern Karen State. In addition to this, there are approximately 500,000 refugees in neighbouring countries. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

Falun Gong

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the treatment of Falun Gong prisoners in China; and what representations the Government has made to the government of China about the alleged practices at the Chinese Sujiatun camp.

Ian Pearson: We regularly raise human rights with the Chinese government, including the treatment of individual Falun Gong practitioners. Individual Falun Gong cases were raised with the Chinese government at the last round of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in October 2005.
	The Government have seen no evidence to substantiate the reports circulating about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in Sujiatun camp. We have not made representations to the Chinese government about these reports. However, I raised concerns on 7 April with the Chinese government about the general practice of organ harvesting from death row prisoners and the trade in their organs.
	The Government welcome the announcement by the Chinese Ministry of Health of a new regulation to come into effect on 1 July, to ban the sale of organs and introduce medical standards for organ transplants.

Foreign Policy Centre

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what purposes his Department provides funding to the Foreign Policy Centre; and how much has been provided in each year since 1997.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not provided any funding to the Foreign Policy Centre in this period. We define 'funding' as payments made to an organisation which are not in respect of goods or services that the organisation has or will be providing to the FCO, but are instead made to support the organisation in its work.
	A number of payments have been made to the Foreign Policy Centre during this period, but all such payments have been for goods and/or services provided by this organisation. The following payments over 100 were made:
	
		
			
		
		
			 2003 Consultancy Work 8,125 
			 2003 Organising Consular Seminar 10,060 
			 2003 Consultancy work for the Community Relations Unit 26,300 
			 4 April 2004 Glasgow Discussion Sheets for Partnerships and Networks Development Unit (now UK Outreach) 2,500 
			 7 July 2004 Part payment for organisation of a meeting at Ditchley Park 35,000 
			 15 September 2004 Part payment for organisation of a meeting at Ditchley Park 35,000 
			 27 January 2005 Chinese New Year Event List for Partnerships and Networks Development Unit (now UK Outreach) 3,950 
			 29 January 2005 Africa List for Partnerships and Networks Development Unit (now UK Outreach) 3,950 
			 25 February 2005 Part payment for organisation of a meeting at Ditchley Park 23,095 
			 13 April 2005 Welsh List for Partnerships and Networks Development Unit (now UK Outreach) 3,950 
			 30 October 2005 Contribution to the cost of design and production of 1,500 Europe in a Global Age pamphlets 1,615 
			 17 March 2006 Payment for organising a foreign policy seminar 26,950

France (Rioting)

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with the French Government about the recent riots.

Ian Pearson: No.

General Ratko Mladic

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent disclosure by the government of Serbia, that Serbian intelligence and army officials conspired to conceal the movements of General Ratko Mladic; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: We have noted the public disclosure from the Supreme Defence Council in February, based on a military security service report, that elements of the Serbia and Montenegro military had sheltered Mladic until June 2002. The UK expects all those involved in sheltering Mladic to be fully investigated and prosecuted. Full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia remains a fundamental requirement for Serbia and Montenegro to move closer to Euro-Atlantic integration.

Guatemala

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of (a) human rights and (b) the rule of law in Guatemala.

Douglas Alexander: The Human Rights situation in Guatemala has improved since the signing of the Peace Accords in 1996, following 36 years of conflict. However, we continue to be concerned by the growth of organised crime, the activities of gangs, called maras, and widespread impunity which threaten the rule of law in Guatemala. We are also concerned by attacks on human rights defenders and the increase in violence against women.
	Our Embassy in Guatemala City works closely with human rights organisations and will continue to press the Guatemalan authorities to implement in full the 1996 Peace Accords, investigate reports of human rights abuses thoroughly and tackle impunity.

Guatemala

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likelihood of bringing to justice those responsible for mass killings in Guatemala in the 1980s; and if he will make representations to the government of Guatemala on this matter.

Douglas Alexander: The signing of the Guatemalan Peace Accords in 1996 brought an end to 36 years of conflict. The Peace Accords provided a blueprint for the Guatemalan authorities to pursue a process of social reforms, including the capacity to bring those responsible for human rights abuses to justice.
	Though we have noted the progress made by the Guatemalan government in implementing the Peace Accords, that progress is slow and there is still much to be done. Many perpetrators of human rights violations continue to escape justice due to a weak judicial system.
	The United Kingdom will continue to encourage the Guatemalan government to implement in full the 1996 Peace Accords, which covers improvements to the Guatemalan Judicial System. We will continue to monitor the efforts made by the Guatemalan authorities to bring those responsible for human rights violations to justice.

Holy See (British Ambassador)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the British ambassador to the Holy See was in each year since 1983; what relevant specialist qualifications the present incumbent holds; and what the details of his career are to date.

Ian Pearson: Since 1983, the British ambassador to the Holy See has been:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 19821985 Mark (later Sir Mark) Heath 
			 19851988 David Lane 
			 19881991 John Bradley 
			 19911995 Andrew Palmer 
			 19951998 Maureen MacGlashen 
			 19982002 Mark Pellew 
			 20022005 Kathryn Colvin 
			 2005 to date Francis Campbell 
		
	
	The ambassador to the Holy See needs to be a high-calibre individual, with proven political and strategic awareness, diplomatic and interpersonal skills, have an in-depth knowledge of Government, be able to deal with complex issues, be able to build effective and lasting relationships and be able to communicate in Italian and French to a high standard.
	The present ambassador's particular knowledge and understanding of the mechanics of Government, his background in diplomacy, his experience outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), his work with faith organisations and civil society in the UK and internationally make him ideally placed to promote and develop the UK's International Priorities with regard to the Holy See. The details of the ambassador's career are:
	
		Curriculum Vitae
		
			  
		
		
			 Full name Mr. Francis Martin-Xavier Campbell 
			 Date of birth 20 April 1970 
			 2005 Senior Policy Director, Amnesty International 
			 20032005 1st Secretary, British Embassy to Italy 
			 20012003 On secondment to No. 10 Downing street as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister 
			 19992001 On secondment to No. 10 Downing street as Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister 
			 19981999 European Enlargement Unit, FCO 
			 19971998 On secondment to the European Commission appointed to the EC Delegation at the UN in New York for the UK Presidency of the EU 
			 1997 European Enlargement Unit, FCO 
			 19961997 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (MA) 
			 19941995 Katholieke University of Leuven, Belgium (MA) 
			 19891992 Queen's University Belfast (BA)

Jericho Prison

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what observations in relation to (a) living standards for prisoners, (b) visits to prisoners and (c) locking of doors at night were made by the British Independent Monitors at Jericho Prison.

Kim Howells: The monitors observed a set list of conditions to determine if the six detainees were secluded continuously. These conditions did not include examining the living conditions. The monitors observed the numbers of visitors, the time of the visits and if the visitors were searched. Monitors were unable to verify if all the doors were locked at night.

Joseph Kony

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the policy of his Department to bring Joseph Kony before the International Crime Court.

Ian Pearson: Yes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants for the arrest of five Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commanders, including Joseph Kony, in October 2005. Responsibility to effect the arrest warrants lies in the first instance with the states on whose territory the five LRA commanders are believed to be, in this case Uganda, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
	The UK is a strong supporter of the work of the ICC in its efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity. We have stressed to the Governments of Uganda, Sudan and the DRC their obligations to detain the LRA commanders facing arrest warrants.

Kosovo

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of levels of ethnic tension in northern Kosovo between ethnic Serbs and Albanians; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The situation throughout Kosovo remains tense but broadly stable as the United Nations-led final status process continues. I strongly condemn the criminal acts that have taken place in northern Kosovo in recent weeks. The Government fully supports the efforts of the Kosovo Police Service and the United Nations Mission in Kosovo to bring those responsible for such acts to justice.
	The London Contact Group Ministerial statement of 31 January 2006 made clear that a final status settlement must be underpinned by principles that promote a multi-ethnic society. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House. In the context of the final status process we expect community leaders to continue to engage in creating a climate conducive to bridging the ethnic divide not only in northern Kosovo but the entire territory.

Lords Resistance Army

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the strength of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda.

Ian Pearson: There are no authoritative figures available for the current operational strength of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). It is likely that the total number has declined in recent years and current estimates put the number of combatants in hundreds rather than thousands.
	The largest concentration of LRA fighters is thought to be currently based in the Garamba National Park in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Elsewhere it is thought that the LRA has a presence in southern Sudan as well as northern Uganda, where it operates in relatively small groups and is highly mobile.

Pakistan

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The political situation in Pakistan is continuously evolving. Despite occasional outbreaks of sectarian and other violence, the appalling bomb explosion in Karachi on 11 April being the most recent example, the country remains generally stable and Pakistan is an important partner for achieving UK strategic objectives. Officials in both London and Pakistan meet regularly with members of the Pakistani Government, opposition parties and members of civil society to ensure that we remain abreast of developments. We continue to work towards ensuring that the 2007 elections are both free and fair, thus helping Pakistan's return to full democracy.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in his Department joined the scheme before the age of (a) 20, (b) 25, (c) 30, (d) 35, (e) 40, (f) 45 and (g) over 45 years old.

Jack Straw: The information is not currently available as my Department would need to review its pension records manually and this would incur disproportionate cost. We are currently upgrading our IT systems and I will write to the hon. Member should this information become available.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Connexions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many hits the Connexions website received in each month since its inception.

Maria Eagle: The Connexions Direct website www.connexions-direct.com was launched on 21 October 2002.
	The following table details monthly visits to the Connexions Direct website.
	
		
			  2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
		
		
			 January  19,073 99,752 146,769 381,864 
			 February  16,505 92,186 164,107 316,642 
			 March  18,813 103,461 197,030 441,149 
			 April  14,373 83,947 167,301  
			 May  19,637 129,148 153,722  
			 June  29,211 156,422 166,868  
			 July  25,774 162,993 170,891  
			 August  57,110 160,564 181,128  
			 September  67,625 210,081 217,232  
			 October 486 72,587 136,361 227,723  
			 November 9590 75,738 118,296 262,176  
			 December 10,733 54,676 85,852 263,564  
			 Total 20,809 471,122 1,539,063 2,318,511  
		
	
	The following table shows the number of hits for the Connexions Card website from July 2002.
	
		
			  2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
		
		
			 January  15,693 48,245 138,640 194,567 
			 February  20,048 51,304 121,197 167,071 
			 March  26,449 52,997 144,670  
			 April  46,629 107,461 153,708  
			 May  25,262 133,000 129,960  
			 June  36,721 133,900 129,542  
			 July 13,163 37,936 115,762 133,345  
			 August 15,418 24,801 110,674 120,611  
			 September 18,474 19,753 126,316 161,331  
			 October 29,436 31,289 123,526 180,643  
			 November 19,365 41,208 192,238 172,527  
			 December 14,121 51,491 90,156 124,452

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will reply to the letter dated 23 February 2006 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Dr. Arnandi Ramamudthy.

Ruth Kelly: My apologies to the right hon. Member for the delay in responding to his letter. This was due to a technical systems problem with the Department's correspondence handling system. I replied to this letter on 19 April 2006.

Departmental Policies

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will set out with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to West Lancashire constituency the effects in West Lancashire of changes to her Department's policies since 1997.

Maria Eagle: The West Lancashire constituency lies within Lancashire local authority. The most recent Key Stage 2 and GCSE and equivalent results showing information for pupils attending schools in West Lancashire are given in the following tables:
	
		Key Stage 2 results of 11-year-old pupils attending schools in the West Lancashire constituencyPercentage of pupils gaining level 4 and above
		
			  1997 2005 Percentage point improvement 19972005 
		
		
			 West Lancashire
			 English(9) 66 80 14 
			 Maths(9) 70 77 7 
			 National average
			 English(10) 63 79 16 
			 Maths(10) 62 75 13 
		
	
	(9) Parliamentary constituency figures are based only on all maintained schools(including City Technology Colleges and, from 2003, Academies) and from 2000 onwards have been adjusted in respect of pupils recently arrived from overseas.
	(10) England figures are based on all schools and have not been adjusted in respect of pupils recently arrived from overseas.
	
		GCSE and equivalents(11) results of 15-year-old pupils(12) attending schools in the West Lancashire constituencyPercentage of15-year-olds gaining 5 + A*-C and 5 + A*-G
		
			  1997 2005 Percentage point improvement 19972005 
		
		
			 West Lancashire
			 5 + A*-C 42.2 49.2 7.0 
			 5 + A*-G 89.2 91.8 2.6 
			 National average
			 5 + A*-C 45.1 56.3 11.2 
			 5 + A*-G 86.4 89.0 2.6 
		
	
	(11) From 2004 results incorporate GCSEs, GNVQs and a wide range of other qualifications approved pre-16. Prior to 2004 results are based on GCSEs and GNVQs only.
	(12) As standard the results reported relate to pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year, i.e. 31 August, and therefore reaching the end of compulsory education at the end of the school year.
	(13) Parliamentary constituency figures are based only on all maintained schools (including City Technology Colleges and, from 2003, Academies) and from 2000 onwards have been adjusted in respect of pupils recently arrived from overseas.
	(14) England figures are based on all schools and have not been adjusted in respect of pupils recently arrived from overseas.
	At national level, standards have improved across all key stages. The Primary and Secondary National Strategies, together with the measures we have taken to help schools in the toughest areas are continuing to deliver better results.
	Further information by constituency, is provided within the Department's 'In Your Area' website available at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/inyourarea. Where information is not available at the constituency level it has been provided at local authority level.
	This website allows users to access key facts and local information about education and skills based on postcodes. The data available within the site offers comparisons between 1997 and the latest available year and covers five geographies. These are parliamentary constituency, ward, local authority district, local authority and Government office region. England figures are also provided. The information available within the website is grouped in a number of broad categories including literacy and numeracy at age 11, literacy and numeracy at age 14, GCSE and equivalent results, pupils with special educational needs, school initiatives, school workforce, school funding and resources, children's social services, early years, class sizes, post-16, higher education and adult education.
	Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, my Department is investigating ways in which we can disseminate more information about the effects of our policies at a local level.

Education Finance

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average expenditure on education per pupil was in the (a) primary and (b) secondary sector in (i) Southend and (ii) Essex local education authority in each year since 1976.

Jacqui Smith: The following tables contain the information requested:
	
		Education expenditure(15) per pupil, 199293 to 200405, cash terms figures as reported by local authorities(16) as at 11 April 2006 --  per pupil
		
			  Essex local authority (pre local government reorganisation on 1 April 1998)(16) 
			  School based expenditure per pupil(17) Combined local authority and school based expenditure per pupil(19) 
			  Primary Pre-primary and primary Secondary Primary Pre-primary and primary Secondary 
		
		
			 199293 n/a 1,480 2,340 n/a 1,590 2,700 
			 199394 n/a 1,690 2,410 n/a 1,780 2,790 
			 199495 n/a 1,740 2,320 n/a 1,850 2,880 
			 199596 n/a 1,760 2,340 n/a 1,910 2,870 
			 199697 n/a 1,790 2,470 n/a 1,950 3,080 
			 199798(21) n/a 1,740 2,580 n/a 1,910 3,260 
		
	
	On the 1 April 1998 Essex local authority was reorganised and split into Essex, Southend and Thurrock local authorities. The unit costs for Essex and Southend local authorities are provided in the following table:
	
		Essex local authority (post local government reorganisation)(16) --  per pupil
		
			  School based expenditure per pupil(17)(5509080018) Combined local authority and school based expenditure per pupil(19) 
			  Primary Pre-primary and primary Secondary Primary Pre-primary and primary Secondary 
		
		
			 199899(21) n/a 1,950 2,690 n/a 2,140 3,330 
			
			 19992000(22) 1,970 1,970 2,730 2,110 2,180 2,950 
			 200001 2,240 2,250 2,860 2,390 2,460 3,090 
			 200102 2,460 2,480 3,190 2,600 2,730 3,430 
			
			 200203 2,570 n/a 3,270 n/a n/a n/a 
			 200304 2,750 n/a 3,560 n/a n/a n/a 
			 200405(23) 2,900 n/a 3,780 n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	
		Southend local authority(16) --  per pupil
		
			  School based expenditure per pupil(17)(5509080018) Combined local authority and school based expenditure per pupil(19) 
			  Primary Pre-primary and primary Secondary Primary Pre-primary and primary Secondary 
		
		
			 199899(21) n/a 1,870 2,580 n/a 2,000 3,210 
			
			 19992000(22) 2,040 2,040 2,740 2,140 2,200 2,890 
			 200001 2,220 2,230 2,980 2,320 2,410 3,150 
			 200102 2,530 2,560 3,170 2,700 2,850 3,420 
			 200203 2,590 n/a 3,370 n/a n/a n/a 
			
			 200304 2,730 n/a 3,700 n/a n/a n/a 
			 200405(23) 2,860 n/a 3,810 n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	n/a=Figures are not available.
	(15) The expenditure data to 199899 are drawn from the annual 'RO1' spending returns which local authorities submitted to the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (now the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister). Figures for 199900 to 200102 are drawn from Section 52 (Table 3) Outturn statements which local authorities submitted to the DfES. Figures for 200203 onwards are taken from the recasted Section 52 (Table A) Outturn statements. The change in sources is shown by the blank rows.
	(16) Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) took place on the 1 April 1998. What was previously defined as Essex local authority pre LGR was split into Essex, Southend and Thurrock local authorities for the start of the 199899 financial year.
	(17) School based expenditure includes only expenditure incurred directly by local authority schools. This includes the pay of teachers and school-based support staff, school premises costs, books and equipment, and certain other supplies and services, less any capital items funded from recurrent spending and income from sales, fees and charges and rents and rates. This excludes the central cost of support services such as home to school transport, local authority administration and the financing of capital expenditure. The pupil data are drawn from the DfES Annual Schools Census adjusted to be on a financial year basis.
	(18) From 200203 the school based expenditure calculation is broadly similar to the calculation in previous years. However, 200102 and earlier years includes all premature retirement compensation (PRC) and Crombie payments, mandatory PRC payments and other indirect employee expenses, while from 200203 only the schools element of these categories is included. In 200102 this accounted for approximately 70 per pupil of the England total, while the schools element of these categories accounted for approximately 50 per pupil of the England total in 200203. Also, for some LAs, expenditure that had previously been attributed to the school sectors was reported within the LA part of the form from 200203 and would therefore be excluded, though this is not quantifiable from existing sources.
	(19) Combined local authority and school based expenditure includes all expenditure on the education of children in local authority maintained establishments and pupils educated by the authority other than in maintained establishments. This includes both school based expenditure and all elements of central LA expenditure except youth and community and capital expenditure from revenue (CERA). From 200203 onwards, certain elements of central local authority expenditure cannot be attributed to a particular phase of education and consequently a sector breakdown is no longer available. Pupil figures include all pre-primary pupils, including those under 5s funded by the authority and being educated in private settings (only available from 199900), pupils educated in maintained mainstream schools and any other local authority maintained pupils. All pupil numbers are adjusted to be on a financial year basis.
	(20) Expenditure was not distinguished between the pre-primary and primary sectors until the inception of Section 52 for financial year 199900.
	(21) Spending in 199798 reflects the transfer of monies from local government to central government for the nursery vouchers scheme. These were returned to local government from 199899.
	(22) The expenditure data for 199900 onwards reflect the return of grant maintained schools to local authority maintenance.
	(23) 200405 data is subject to change by the local authority.
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

GCSEs

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of pupils achieved (a) one or more A* to C, (b) five or more A* to C and (c) five or more A* to G grades at GCSE in (i) England, (ii) Somerset and (iii) Taunton constituency in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The following table shows the percentage of pupils achieving one or more A* to G grades and one or more A* to C grades. Constituency level figures for pupils achieving one or more A* to C grades at GCSE can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(24) achieving one or more GCSEs or equivalents(25) at the grades listed
		
			  A*to G A*to C 
			  England(26) Somerset local authority(27) Taunton constituency4, 5 England(26) Somerset local authority(27) Taunton constituency 
		
		
			 1997 92.3 95.9 95.8 70.5 75.5 n/a 
			 1998 93.4 96.7 97.2 71.4 77.1 n/a 
			 1999 94.0 96.9 97.5 72.6 78.0 n/a 
			 2000 94.4 96.8 96.6 73.6 79.0 n/a 
			 2001 94.5 97.2 97.2 74.0 79.1 n/a 
			 2002 94.6 97.3 98.6 75.2 79.0 n/a 
			 2003 94.8 96.0 96.9 75.6 79.2 n/a 
			 2004 95.9 96.0 95.8 75.8 71 .8 n/a 
			 2005 96.4 96.9 97.1 77.5 71.6 n/a 
		
	
	(24) Aged 15 at the start of the academic year (i.e. 31 August).
	(25) From 1997 includes GNVQ equivalences and from 2004 all other equivalences approved for use pre 16.
	(26) England figures include all schools, including independent schools, hospital schools and PRUs.
	(27) LA and constituency level figures only cover maintained schools.
	(28) Pupils attending schools located in Taunton constituency.
	The following table shows the percentage of pupils achieving five or more A* to G grades and five or more A* to C grades.
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(29) achieving five or more GCSEs or equivalents(30) at the grades listed
		
			  A*to G A*to C 
			  England(31) Somerset local authority(32) Taunton constituency(32)(5509080033) England(31) Somerset local authority(32) Taunton constituency(32)(5509080033) 
		
		
			 1997 86.4 92.5 91.2 45.1 48.9 46.1 
			 1998 87.5 92.3 89.7 46.3 51.2 49.4 
			 1999 88.5 93.7 93.4 47.9 52.7 51.6 
			 2000 88.9 93.4 91.8 49.2 55.3 55.0 
			 2001 88.9 93.0 90.7 50.0 54.7 57.6 
			 2002 88.9 92.7 94.1 51.6 54.8 58.8 
			 2003 88.8 90.3 89.5 52.9 54.9 59.3 
			 2004 88.8 90.1 89.2 53.7 56.4 58.3 
			 2005 89.0 91.0 90.5 56.3 56.5 61.2 
		
	
	(29) Aged 15 at the start of the academic year (i.e. 31 August).
	(30) From 1997 includes GNVQ equivalences and from 2004 all other equivalences approved for use pre 16.
	(31) England figures include all schools, including independent schools, hospital schools and PRUs.
	(32) LA and constituency level figures only cover maintained schools.
	(33) Pupils attending schools located in Taunton constituency.

Higher Education

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people under the age of 30 were participating in higher education in each year since 1995; how many are expected to do so in each year to 2015; and what these figures represent as a proportion of the relevant age cohort.

Bill Rammell: The Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) is the measure that the Department uses to assess progress in participation. The HEIPR time series is available for 1999/2000 to 2004/05 and is shown in the following table.
	
		HEIPR for English-domiciled first time participants in HE courses at UK higher education institutions and English further education colleges 1999/2000 to 2004/05
		
			  Academic year 
			  1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05(34) 
		
		
			 HEIPR (Percentage) 41 42 42 43 42 42 
			 Initial entrants (Thousand) 246 249 255 268 269 271 
		
	
	(34) Provisional.
	Source:
	Statistical First Release 14/2006: Participation Rates in Higher Education: Academic Years 1999/2000 to 2004/2005 (provisional).
	The Department's expenditure plans allow for a continuing increase in HEIPR in the period to 200708, but we do not publish forecasts for individual years as these depend on the Spending Review settlements.
	Our target remains to make progress towards a 50 per cent. participation rate by 2010, and we believe that progress will be made. There are a number of things that will help including continuing progress in attainment at age 18; the opening up of vocational routes into higher education, and the closer co-operation between universities and further education colleges we signalled in the recent FE White Paper; the new train to gain projects for employer-led higher education, and a continuing expansion of foundation degrees; and the package of support for part-time study that we announced last autumn.

House of Lords

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether any (a) employee of her Department, (b) person engaged by her Department as a consultant and (c) paid adviser to her Department is a member of the House of Lords; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Department does not employ any member of the House of Lords directly. Information about consultants and advisors to the Department is not collected centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Pathfinder Schools

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what resources have been allocated to support Pathfinder schools in each of the next five years;
	(2)  how much has been awarded to Pathfinder schools in each of the past two years, broken down by local authority.

Jacqui Smith: The following table shows for each local authority the amount of money allocated to pathfinder projects in schools in the last two years. The figures shown for Building Schools for the Future pathfinder schools for 200506 are the amounts notified to local authorities and schools, but will be spent over the next three years. Information on resources for other Pathfinder schools over the next five years is not currently available.
	
		Funding for Pathfinder schools 200405 and 200506 -- 
		
			  200506 
			 Local authority Enterprise learning pathfinders Key stage 2 language pathfinders Diversity pathfinders Total 200405 Building schools for the future pathfinder projects 
		
		
			 Greenwich 130,000 0 0 130,000 (35)213,025,000 
			 Hackney 185,000 0 0 185,000  
			 Hammersmith 18,000 0 0 18,000  
			 Lambeth 15,000 0 0 15,000  
			 Lewisham 10,200 0 0 10,200 (36)98,985,000 
			 Tower Hamlets 210,500 0 0 210,500  
			 Wandsworth 75,000 0 0 75,000  
			 Westminster 67,828 0 0 67,828  
			 Barking 0 88,150 0 88,150  
			 Barnet 38,000 0 0 38,000  
			 Bexley 3,500 0 0 3,500  
			 Brent 36,200 0 0 36,200  
			 Bromley 116,571 0 0 116,571  
			 Croydon 50,000 0 0 50,000  
			 Enfield 0 100,000 0 100,000  
			 Haringey 72,000 0 0 72,000  
			 Havering 11,000 0 0 11,000  
			 Hounslow 110,940 0 0 110,940  
			 Merton 24,000 0 0 24,000  
			 Newham 64,500 0 0 64,500  
			 Redbridge 63,400 0 0 63,400  
			 Richmond upon Thames 0 159,165 0 159,165  
			 Birmingham 150,000 96,400 0 246,400  
			 Coventry 35,720 86,000 0 121,720  
			 Dudley 92,904 0 0 92,904  
			 Solihull 46,024 0 0 46,024  
			 Walsall 24,300 0 0 24,300  
			 Knowsley 223,310 48,351 0 271,661  
			 Liverpool 59,900 0 0 59,900  
			 St. Helens 146,000 0 0 146,000  
			 Sefton 23,000 0 0 23,000  
			 Bury 390,500 67,180 0 457,680  
			 Manchester 90,000 0 0 90,000  
			 Oldham 0 122,500 0 122,500  
			 Rochdale 25,000 0 0 25,000  
			 Trafford 69,600 0 0 69,600  
			 Wigan 67,100 0 0 67,100  
			 Barnsley 20,000 0 0 20,000  
			 Doncaster 34,200 0 0 34,200  
			 Rotherham 94,000 0 0 94,000  
			 Sheffield 8,820 0 0 8,820  
			 Bradford 112,500 0 0 112,500 (37)116,873,000 
			 Calderdale 47,500 0 0 47,500  
			 Leeds 18,375 0 0 18,375  
			 Wakefield 41,335 0 0 41,335  
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 25,000 0 0 25,000  
			 North Tyneside 63,160 80,354 110,000 253,514  
			 South Tyneside 168,000 0 0 168,000  
			 Bath and NE Somerset 40,500 0 0 40,500  
			 City of Bristol 59,000 0 0 59,000 (38)158,298,000 
			 North Somerset 46,500 0 0 46,500  
			 Hartlepool 22,000 0 0 22,000  
			 Middlesbrough 5,000 0 0 5,000  
			 Stockton-on-Tees 40,150 0 0 40,150  
			 Kingston-upon-Hull 76,770 0 0 76,770  
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 0 63,227 0 63,227  
			 North Yorkshire 52,000 0 0 52,000  
			 York 33,500 0 0 33,500  
			 Bedfordshire 30,000 0 0 30,000  
			 Derbyshire 401,145 0 0 401,145  
			 Bournemouth 19,850 0 0 19,850  
			 Durham 157,000 0 0 157,000  
			 Darlington 32,500 0 0 32,500  
			 East Sussex 12,900 0 0 12,900  
			 Brighton and Hove 57,111 141,587 0 198,698  
			 Hampshire 327,550 106,763 0 434,313  
			 Portsmouth 70,000 0 92,250 162,250  
			 Leicestershire 123,500 0 0 123,500  
			 Stoke-on-Trent 40,000 0 0 40,000  
			 Wiltshire 91,490 0 0 91,490  
			 Swindon 4,000 0 0 4,000  
			 Slough 40,000 0 0 40,000  
			 Wokingham 23,000 0 0 23,000  
			 Cambridgeshire 37,448 0 0 37,448  
			 Peterborough 392,800 0 0 392,800  
			 Cheshire 32,070 0 0 32,070  
			 Halton 150,000 0 0 150,000  
			 Warrington 29,000 0 0 29,000  
			 Plymouth 42,000 0 0 42,000  
			 Essex 448,821 0 0 448,821  
			 Southend-on-Sea 159,792 0 0 159,792  
			 Thurrock 51,900 0 0 51,900  
			 Worcestershire 40,100 0 0 40,100  
			 Kent 161,025 0 0 161,025  
			 Lancashire 126,817 132,216 0 259,033  
			 Blackburn with Darwen 50,300 0 0 50,300  
			 Blackpool 33,144 0 0 33,144  
			 Nottinghamshire 110,481 98,500 0 208,981  
			 Nottingham City 185,500 0 0 185,500  
			 Telford and Wrekin 115,000 0 0 115,000  
			 Cornwall 420,500 0 0 420,500  
			 Cumbria 159,000 0 0 159,000  
			 Gloucestershire 20,425 0 0 20,425  
			 Hertfordshire 148,100 0 0 148,100  
			 Lincolnshire 168,840 0 0 168,840  
			 Norfolk 13,500 0 0 13,500  
			 Northamptonshire 21,178 0 0 21,178  
			 Northumberland 304,010 0 0 304,010  
			 Oxfordshire 9,500 0 0 9,500  
			 Somerset 105,400 0 0 105,400  
			 Suffolk 265,000 0 0 265,000  
			 Surrey 5,000 0 0 5,000  
			 Warwickshire 154,994 0 0 154,994  
			 West Sussex 20,350 0 0 20,350  
			 Total 9,165,348 1,390,393 202,250 10,757,991 587,181,000 
		
	
	(35) Includes 116 million Private Finance Initiative credits.
	(36) Includes 58 million Private Finance Initiative credits.
	(37) Includes 110 million Private Finance Initiative credits.
	(38) Includes 151 million Private Finance Initiative credits.

School Performance Tables

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when it was decided to remove the schools performance tables for the years prior to 2001 from her Department's website;
	(2)  if she will restore the performance tables for the years prior to 2001 to her Department's website;
	(3)  for what reasons the schools' performance tables for the years prior to 2001 were removed from her Department's website.

Jacqui Smith: It has not been possible to access the Achievement and Attainment Tables prior to 2001 from the Department's website because of a technical problem. In the interim anyone wishing to obtain the data can do so by contacting the Public Enquiry Unit. However, we expect the Tables prior to 2001 to be made available on the website again by mid May.

School Trusts

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the liability for paying contractors will remain with the local education authority in cases where schools becoming trusts are part of private finance initiative schemes.

Jacqui Smith: Yes. It is the local authority which signs the contract with the private sector PFI contractor and which therefore is liable for the payment of the unitary charge for the length of the contract. Schools will remain liable for the agreements they have made with the authority for contributing to the unitary charge. The governing body of each school included in a PFI contract must sign such an agreement before the PFI contract' can be signed. This commitment does not change if the school changes status.

Schools (Southend, West)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of children attending schools in Southend West constituency come from outside the borough; and how many children who live in Southend West constituency attend a school in another local authority area.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been provided in the following table:
	
		Movement of pupils(42) in Southend West constituency and Southend-on-Sea local authority
		
			  Number of pupils attending schools in Southend West constituency Number of pupils attending schools in Southend West constituency who reside outside of Southend-on-Sea LA Percentage of pupils attending schools in Southend West Constituency who reside outside of Southend-on-Sea LA Number of pupils residing within Southend West constituency Number of pupils residing within Southend West constituency who attend schools outside of Southend-on-Sea LA Percentage of pupils residing within Southend West constituency who attend schools outside of Southend-on-Sea LA 
		
		
			 Primary(39) 5,064 166 3.3 5,681 171 3.0 
			 Secondary(40) 5,797 1,306 22.5 4,807 992 20.6 
			 Special(41) 321 69 21.5 121 15 12.4 
			 Total 11,182 1,541 13.8 10,609 1,178 11.1 
		
	
	(39) Includes middle deemed primary
	(40) Includes secondary and middle deemed secondary.
	(41) Includes special and non-maintained special.
	(42) Includes pupils aged 5 to 15 years, solely registered or main registration of dually registered pupils, excludes boarders
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census 2005

Secondary Transfer Appeals

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of secondary transfer appeals were (a) lodged, (b) heard and (c) successful in (i) inner London, (ii) each outer London borough and (iii) England in 200405.

Jacqui Smith: The latest available information on appeals lodged by parents against non-admission of their children to maintained Secondary schools is shown in the table. Information on appeals relating to 200405 will be available in June.
	
		Appeals lodged by parents against non-admission of their children to maintained secondary schools 2003/04, by local education authority and Government Office Region in England
		
			   Secondary 
			 Appeals heard Appeals decided in parents' favour 
			   Number of schools admissions(43) Admission appeals lodged by parents(44) Number Percentage(45) Number Percentage(46) 
		
		
			  England 688,020 64,940 46,240 71 16,260 35 
			 
			  London 90,120 12,690 9,040 71 1,400 15 
			  Inner London 28,560 4,110 3,220 78 420 13 
			 202 Camden 2,140 230 120 51 10 10 
			 201 City of London (47) (47) (47) (47) (47) (47) 
			 204 Hackney 1,660 250 200 80 50 23 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,360 210 190 91 10 3 
			 309 Haringey 2,500 250 110 45 20 19 
			 206 Islington 1,880 220 130 59 30 20 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 800 110 90 86 10 10 
			 208 Lambeth 1,870 170 150 85 20 12 
			 209 Lewisham 2,500 610 480 79 80 16 
			 316 Newham 4,040 1,010 900 89 120 13 
			 210 Southwark 2,130 260 210 81 30 15 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 3,380 160 130 83 30 21 
			 212 Wandsworth 2,400 290 210 74 20 8 
			 213 Westminster 1,910 350 310 88 10 3 
			 
			  Outer London 61,560 8,590 5,820 68 980 17 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 2,460 570 350 61 60 16 
			 302 Barnet 4,270 860 570 67 140 24 
			 303 Bexley 3,710 500 350 71 90 25 
			 304 Brent 3,300 280 230 83 20 7 
			 305 Bromley 4,090 410 180 44 20 9 
			 306 Croydon 4,310 380 280 74 60 20 
			 307 Ealing 3,200 520 400 78 60 15 
			 308 Enfield 4,400 1,110 650 59 110 17 
			 203 Greenwich 3,350 560 350 63 80 23 
			 310 Harrow 2,390 230 150 66 20 12 
			 311 Havering 3,340 610 470 77 80 17 
			 312 Hillingdon 3,960 240 140 57 20 13 
			 313 Hounslow 3,470 610 300 49 30 10 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 1,960 180 150 86 20 12 
			 315 Merton 1,930 170 90 52 30 29 
			 317 Redbridge 4,080 370 360 98 60 16 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 1,650 270 200 74 40 21 
			 319 Sutton 3,050 340 230 68 30 13 
			 320 Waltham Forest 2,640 400 370 91 40 11 
		
	
	(43) Includes all pupils, irrespective of age, who joined a school at any time during September to January of the relevant academic year.
	(44) Findings from a consultation indicate that the total number of appeals lodged by parents against non-admission of their children could be misleading. Some appeals are resolved before they reach a panel hearing (a place at an alternative school is accepted after an appeal has been lodged; the same parent can lodge appeals for more than one school but will not pursue them all). The number of appeals heard by an appeal panel is deemed to be the more reliable and critical indicator.
	(45) Number of appeals heard by a panel expressed as a percentage of the number of appeals lodged by parents.
	(46) Number of appeals decided in favour of the parents expressed as a percentage of the number of appeals heard by a panel.
	(47) Not applicable. No schools of this type.
	Note:
	Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Student Plagiarism

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases of serious plagiarism by under-graduate and post-graduate students were reported in the latest academic year for which data are available, broken down by university; and how many students had their degree consequently (a) withheld and (b) withdrawn.

Bill Rammell: This information is not held centrally. We recognise that plagiarism is a serious matter but higher education institutions as autonomous bodies are responsible for detecting plagiarism and determining what disciplinary action to take. The Quality Assurance Agency's Code of Practice and the Joint Information Systems Committee provide advice and guidance to institutions on dealing with this issue.

Truancy

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of truancy levels in schools in (a) Hull North constituency, (b) Kingston upon Hull and (c) England;
	(2)  how many hours of school were missed due to truancy in each academic year between 1997 and 2005 in (a) Hull North constituency, (b) Kingston upon Hull and (c) England.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not hold data on the number of hours of school missed due to truancy or the levels of truancy. In 2005, the proportion of half day sessions missed due to unauthorised absence (of which truancy forms a part) in maintained primary schools in Kingston upon Hull North Constituency was 0.60 per cent. and for maintained secondary schools 1.31 per cent. For Kingston upon Hull local authority 0.57 per cent. of half days were missed in primary schools and 2.78 per cent. in secondary schools. The comparative figures for England were 0.43 per cent. for primary schools and 1.23 per cent. for secondary schools. In September 2005, the Government announced a drive against pupils with high unauthorised absences in 146 secondary schools which account for 1 in 5 of all instances of unauthorised absence across the country. We have now extended this to cover 198 secondary schools and an estimated 13,000 pupils. This drive will provide an intensive package of support and challenge to these pupils and their families.

University Principals

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether (a) the Government or (b) any of its agencies have power to direct the governing body of (i) a university to dismiss a vice-chancellor or (ii) a college of higher education to dismiss a principal.

Bill Rammell: All universities and colleges of higher education are legally independent corporate bodies. Therefore, neither the Government nor any of its agencies have the power to direct the governing body of such an institution in any of its internal affairs, including dismissal of staff.

Youth Opportunity Fund

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the resources to be made available to West Lancashire District Council under her Youth Opportunity Fund initiative.

Maria Eagle: The Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) and the Youth Capital Fund (YCF), which was also announced in the 'Youth Green Paper: Youth Matters', were allocated to local authorities from April 2006. The funds are designed to enable local authorities to develop new approaches to strategic investment in youth facilities, particularly in deprived neighbourhoods. Extra resource was made available for the YOF and YCF in the Chancellor's pre-Budget report in December 2005. A total of 115 million is available for both funds over 200608.
	The allocation for both funds for Lancashire local authority is 657,899 a year for two years for the Youth Opportunity Fund and 569,031 a year for two years for the Youth Capital Fund. The funds are ring fenced and can only be spent on activities and facilities that young people want.
	Each local authority is responsible for disseminating the funds within in its area. Therefore, I am unable to provide information about the amounts allocated below local authority level to show the funding for West Lancashire district council.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate his Department has made of the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from (a) new house-building and (b) the retrofitting and reuse of buildings; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 3 March 2006
	In support of the Government response to the Barker Review of Housing Supply, the department has carried out Sustainability Impact Study. This study includes an assessment of the embodied energy associated with new house building and of the energy used within new homes. A report of the findings of this study was published in December 2005 and is available on the ODPM website.
	The BRE's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) can be used to rate the environmental impact of building materials used and to assess the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in use for new and refurbished buildings.

Council Tax

Anne Milton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many properties in (a) Guildford, (b) Waverley and (c) Surrey are eligible for a 50 per cent. council tax rebate.

Phil Woolas: There were 30 properties in Guildford, 115 properties in Waverley and a total of 1,901 properties in the 11 local authorities in Surrey that were eligible for a 50 per cent. council tax discount as at 19 September 2005.
	The figures are as reported by local authorities to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the CTB1 and CTB1(S) forms.

Council Tax

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) average and (b) band D council tax was in each local authority in Yorkshire in (i) 200203 and (ii) 200607.

Phil Woolas: Details of the council tax levels in each local authority in Yorkshire in 200203 and 200607 are published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. The details can be found under Information For Taxpayers at Council Taxes at: http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/ct.htm. This includes the average council tax per property and the average band D council tax.

Haven Gateway

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of the total amount of public money spent on the Haven Gateway Partnership up to 31 March 2006 was spent on (a) direct and indirect salaries, (b) public relations and communications, (c) capital infrastructure and (d) consultancy fees; and how much public funding has been allocated to the Partnership to 31 March 2006.

Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
	Since its formation in May 2001 until 31 March 2006, the Haven Gateway Partnership has, received 1.641 million of funding to support its role as a Sub Regional Economic Partnership. As a percentage of this funding the expenditure breakdown is as follows: 20.5 per cent. on salaries, 18.4 per cent. on public relations and communications, 32.3 per cent. on capital infrastructure and 2.8 per cent. On consultancy fees.

Housing Act

Ian Gibson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the role of NowMedical in determining the vulnerability of those applying as homeless under part VII of the Housing Act 1996;
	(2)  whether the Homelessness and Housing Support Directorate has encouraged local authorities to use NowMedical to determine the vulnerability of those applying as homeless under part VII of the Housing Act 1996;
	(3)  if he will commission research into the accuracy of decisions being made by private companies providing paper-based assessments of the vulnerability of homeless applicants.

Yvette Cooper: It is for local housing authorities to satisfy themselves whether individual housing applicants may be owed a duty under part 7 of the Housing Act 1997, and, if so which duty. As part of this, they will need to decide whether an applicant who is eligible for assistance has a priority need for accommodation. In cases where the applicant may have a priority need because of vulnerability due to a medical condition, the authority, may wish to seek a specialist medical opinion to help inform their decision, and should have regard to any medical or social services advice obtained. We have no plans to commission research into the accuracy of such advice at present.
	Officials in the Homelessness and Housing Support Directorate work with local authorities to encourage good practice on preventing and administering homelessness. This includes sharing information on a wide range of specialist advisory services which other authorities have found useful. In providing this factual information, officials are advised to avoid making recommendations of any kind, and to stress that it is for authorities to decide which services to use and which providers to employ. Where an authority seeks specialist advice from any organisation to assist in making such decisions, they will need to satisfy themselves that the advice is soundly-based and reliable. Whatever advice is received the ultimate decision on vulnerability must rest with the local authority.
	Applicants have the right to request an authority to review certain decisions, including a decision that the applicant does not have priority need because he or she is not vulnerable. If they are dissatisfied with a decision on review (or a review decision is not made within the prescribed time scale) they have the right to appeal to the county court on a point of law.

Housing

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the capital receipts from the sale of local authority housing stock in Tamworth were in each of the last 10 years; and what proportion of this income was (a) received by the borough council and (b) passed to his Department.

Yvette Cooper: Capital receipts from the sale of local authority housing stock, as reported by Tamworth are tabled immediately as follows. The receipts are net of discounts and are from Right to Buy and other sales to sitting tenants and owner occupiers.
	
		Local authority housing capital receipts; Tamworth
		
			 Financial year Capital receipt () 
		
		
			 199596 1,255,000 
			 199697 1,398,000 
			 199798 2,894,000 
			 199899 1,972,000 
			 19992000 3,160,000 
			 200001 2,640,000 
			 200102 4,176,000 
			 200203 7,586,000 
			 200304 10,333,000 
			 200405 7,055,000 
		
	
	Source:
	P1AB returns from local authority to ODPM
	Until 1 April 2004, with-debt local authorities were required to set-aside a proportion of their total housing receipts for repayment of debt. The amount of total housing receipts for both dwelling and non-dwelling disposals is given in the following table, along with the amount set-aside from those housing receipts. In April 2004 the set-aside regime was replaced by pooling in order to address the fact that the distribution of receipts was widely unequal across the country. Neither set-aside or pooling separately identify the amount set-aside or pooled from specific types of receipt.
	
		
			 Financial year Housing capital receipts (000) Set-aside/pooled (000) Percentage set-aside/pooled 
		
		
			 199596 1,367 1,008 74 
			 199697 1,489 1,103 69 
			 199798 4,264 2,197 52 
			 199899 1,999 1,486 74 
			 19992000 3,151 2,352 75 
			 200001 2,629 1,951 74 
			 200102 4,357 3,184 73 
			 200203 7,600 11,951 26 
			 200304 10,343 (48) n/a 
			 200405 7,106 5,230 74 
		
	
	(48) No data
	The proportion of the housing capital receipt that a local authority retains is not simply the gross receipt less the set-aside or pooling liability. Local authorities may reduce the value of the capital receipt by, for instance, the cost of the administration fees involved in the disposal of the asset or other costs, for instance improvements to the asset in the preceding years, before calculating their set-aside or pooling obligation. Hence in the table above the amount retained will not be gross receipts less set-aside or pooled amount but rather gross receipts less deductions (for which we have no data) less set-aside or pooling obligations.
	Since 1997 the Government have consistently invested more in housing than they have received in pooled receipts. In 200405 the amount paid to Government from all housing receipts (not just Right to Buy) was 1.7 billion. The amount invested in housing was 4.1 billion ie almost two and a half times the amount received in receipts. The ratio is expected to increase substantially in the future.

Housing

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the capital receipts from the sale of local authority housing stock in Islington for each of the last 10 years; and what proportion of the income was (a) received by the borough council and (b) posted to his Department.

Yvette Cooper: Capital receipts from the sale of local authority stock, as reported by Islington are tabled as follows. The receipts are net of discounts and are from Right to Buy and other sales to sitting tenants and owner occupiers.
	
		Capital receipts: Islington
		
			 Financial year Capital receipt () 
		
		
			 199697 8,006,000 
			 199798 10,723,000 
			 199899 12,522,000 
			 19992000 n/a 
			 200001 n/a 
			 200102 45,619,000 
			 200203 48,362,000 
			 200304 52,350,000 
			 200405 n/a 
		
	
	n/a=not available
	Source:
	P1AB returns from local authority to ODPM
	Until 1 April 2004, with-debt local authorities were required to set-aside a proportion of their total housing receipts for repayment of debt. The amount of total housing receipts for both dwelling and non-dwelling disposals is given in the following table, along with the amount set-aside from those housing receipts. In April 2004 the set-aside regime was replaced by pooling in order to address the wide inequality in receipts between areas. Neither set-aside or pooling separately identify the amount set-aside or pooled from specific types of receipt.
	
		
			 Financial year Housing capital receipts (000) Set-aside/pooled (000) Percentage set-aside/pooled 
		
		
			 199697 10,375 7,062 68 
			 199798 14,339 10,084 70 
			 199899 21,717 12,606 58 
			 19992000 34,519 22,427 65 
			 200001 47,900 29,598 62 
			 200102 63,775 36,930 58 
			 200203 68,730 29,598 43 
			 200304 80,202 (49) n/a 
			 200405 90,560 48,316 54 
		
	
	(49) No data
	The proportion of the housing capital receipt that a local authority retains is not simply the gross receipt less the set-aside or pooling liability. Local authorities may reduce the value of the capital receipt by, for instance, the cost of the administration fees involved in the disposal of the asset or other costs, for instance improvements to the asset in the preceding years, before calculating their set-aside or pooling obligation. Hence in the table above the amount retained will not be gross receipts less set-aside or pooled amount but rather gross receipts less deductions (for which we have no data) less set-aside or pooling obligations.
	Since 1997 the Government have consistently invested more in housing than they have received in housing receipts. In 200405 the amount paid to Government from all housing receipts (not just Right to Buy) was 1.7 billion. The amount invested in housing was 4.1 billion ie almost two and a half times the amount received. The ratio of amount invested to amount received is expected to increase substantially in the future.

Parliamentary Questions

Ian Gibson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will reply to Question (a) 32540, (b) 32541 and (c) 32542 from the hon. Member for Norwich, North tabled on 23 November 2005.

Yvette Cooper: I have answered the hon. Member's questions today. I apologise for the delay in replying.

Planning Inspectorate

Christopher Chope: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it the policy of the Government that there should be a public and open register of the qualifications, experience and training of members of the Planning Inspectorate.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 18 April 2006
	Although not currently made available in a register or list, the Inspectorate provides details of individual Planning Inspectors' qualifications and previous experience when requested. Following an analysis of requests received under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Inspectorate is considering how best to make more information about Inspector recruitment, relevant qualifications and training and the decision-making process more widely available.
	There are no plans to publish details of the qualifications, experience or training of the Inspectorate's administrative staff.

Regional Government

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers county councils have to hold a local referendum on a local issue across the county area; and which tier of government would pay for the cost of the referendum.

Phil Woolas: Any local authority may hold a consultative referendum on matters relating to services provided in pursuance of the authority's functions, expenditure on such services, or any other matter which relates to the authority's power to promote the well-being of its area.
	The tier of local government which holds a referendum would meet the cost of that referendum.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Electoral Reform

James Duddridge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what options she is considering for the introduction of (a) electronic and (b) internet-based measures to reform the electoral process, broken down by stage of the electoral process; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: We are considering how modern technology can be used to support and develop the electoral process. This could include registration, voting itself and the counting of ballots. Pilots to occur at the May 2006 local elections will include e-counting and the use of electronic electoral registers to support our investigation of how such technology might be employed in the future. Information Technology may also be valuable in providing information to voters during an election period and between elections to promote and facilitate democratic engagement and participation.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Car-jacking

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide for the specific offence of car-jacking; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Government have no plans to introduce a specific offence of car-jacking. We are satisfied that car-jacking would inevitably involve the commission of one or more serious criminal offences. The exact charge would depend on the circumstances of the particular case, but the following offences are relevant:
	Robbery contrary to section eight of the Theft Act 1968, for which the maximum custodial sentence is life imprisonment.
	Taking a conveyance without authority contrary to section 12 of the Theft Act 1968, for which the maximum custodial sentence is six months.
	Aggravated Vehicle Taking contrary to section 12A of the Theft Act 1968, for which the maximum custodial sentence is two years, or 14 years where a death occurs.
	Kidnapping, a common law offence for which there is no limit fixed for the period of imprisonment.

Chewing Gum

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fines have been issued to the public by the police for chewing-gum related offences in 2006; and how many were issued in the last 10 years.

Hazel Blears: Chewing-gum related offences are classified as littering offences and Fixed Penalty Notices are issued by local authority officials. Records of Fixed Penalty Notices issued to the public by local authority officials for littering offences are not notified to the Home Office.

Counter-terrorism (Canary Wharf)

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) operations and (b) investigations (i) were undertaken and (ii) are being conducted related to the alleged attempted attack on Canary Wharf on 23 November 2004.

Hazel Blears: It is our policy not to comment on the details of alleged attempted terrorist attacks in the UK. These are operational matters for the police service.

DNA Database

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what percentage of the population of West Lancashire the police hold a record on their DNA database.

Hazel Blears: It is not possible to provide the information requested for West Lancashire as the DNA subject sample records held on the National DNA Database (NDNAD) relate to police force area, not local authority area, but some data is available for Lancashire. Data from Census 2001 indicates that the population of Lancashire is 1,134,976. At the end of February 2006, there were 90,405 individuals with a profile on the NDNAD taken by Lancashire police.
	These individuals would have been arrested, detained in a police station and had a DNA sample taken in Lancashire, but would not necessarily be resident in Lancashire. Using the previous figures, the percentage of persons who have a profile on the NDNAD taken by Lancashire police relative to the population of Lancashire is 7.9 per cent.

DNA Database

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the merits of establishing an independent body, with ethical and lay input, to oversee the working of the National DNA Database; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Government recognises the need for, and is committed to establishing, arrangements for ethical review of the policy and decision-making of the National DNA Database Board through an ethics committee. The Government believe that independent ethical advice and input is necessary to ensure that appropriate account of a wide set of views, and protection of individual rights, is retained in the decision-making of the Board.

DNA Database

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have samples on the National DNA Database who have not been (a) charged with and (b) convicted of an offence.

Hazel Blears: Data are not readily available on the number of persons who have a DNA profile on the database who have been charged with, convicted of or acquitted of an offence. This data are not held on the National DNA Database (NDNAD), but can be obtained from the Police National Computer (PNC). There is an electronic link between PNC and the NDNAD which transmits certain information only. Home Office officials are working with colleagues in the Police Information and Technology Organisation (PITO) which is responsible for PNC and with police service staff to develop a process to routinely report this and other statistical information that is held on either NDNAD or PNC. This work is under way and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the work has been completed.

Graffiti Removal Notices

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many graffiti removal notices have been issued in England since 2003.

Hazel Blears: Section 4852 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 which introduced Defacement Removal Notices nationwide came into force on 6 April 2006. Since the 6 April the Home Office has not received any details of Defacement Removal Notices being issued.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to provide the Information Commissioner with comprehensive powers to check the data protection compliance of the National Identity Card Scheme.

Andy Burnham: The Identity and Passport Service complies with the Data Protection Act, and this will continue once ID cards are issued, and the register is operational. The Information Commissioner is already responsible for ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act, and he will continue to exercise this function in respect of the Identity and Passport Service. The Information Commissioner therefore has the power to ensure that the Identity Card Scheme complies with the Data Protection Act, and does not require further powers in order to carry out this function.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for indefinite leave to remain under the provisions of the European Community Association Agreement there have been since February 2005; and how many have been completed.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 18 April 2006
	Since February 2005, IND has received 2,577 applications for indefinite leave to remain under the European Community Association Agreements. Following resumption of consideration of this ECAA category on 14 February 2005, some 850 have been completed of which 109 relate to applications received since February 2005. This information is provisional management information and may be subject to change.

Inmate Repatriations

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will list the (a) occasions, (b) destinations, (c) prisons and (d) prison governor grade staff who have replaced prison officer grades in accompanying inmate repatriations outside the United Kingdom in each of the last five years;
	(2)  for what reasons and in what circumstances prison governor grade staff would accompany inmate repatriations outside the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information is only available for the last two years since the creation of a dedicated repatriation group. In the last two years four governor grades have been involved in travelling abroad to escort repatriated prisoners back to the United Kingdom. One governor travelled to Japan, two to Australia, and one to Antigua making three occasions. All were governor grades from Wandsworth, which is the prison dedicated to repatriation cases. All occasions were in 200405.
	These cases represent only a small percentage of the total number of repatriations.
	The governor at Wandsworth operates the policy that governor grades should take part in repatriations only when there is an overriding operational reason to do so.

Motoring Offences

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of (a) males and (b) females who have received a fixed penalty for committing an offence under Section 14(3) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (a) once, (b) twice, (c) three times and (d) four times and over; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available.

National Offender Management Service

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the lines of accountability are under the National Offender Management Service in Wales for the delivery of the reducing reoffending action plan.

Fiona Mactaggart: The reducing reoffending action plan applies to England but the principles and broad approach to reducing reoffending is taken into account in 'Joining Together in Wales: an Adult and Young People's Strategy to Reduce Re-offending'. The strategy was published jointly between the Welsh Assembly Government and the Home Office and, following the outcome of the consultation, there will be a joint action plan to reflect the roles and responsibilities in Wales of the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Offender Management Service.

Otley Police Station

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what guidance he has given to West Yorkshire police on the provision of 24-hour helpdesk services at Otley police station;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effects that the proposed closure of the 24-hour helpdesk at Otley police station will have on the residents of Otley, with particular reference to those without adequate access to public transport necessary to reach easily the nearest police station.

Hazel Blears: The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the chief officer, who are responsible for assessing local needs. The ownership of police stations is vested in the local police authority, not the Home Office. Their use is a matter for local decisions.

Otley Police Station

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors underlay the decision to close the 24-hour helpdesk at Otley police station.

Hazel Blears: The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the chief officer, who are responsible for assessing local needs. The ownership of police stations is vested in the local police authority, not the Home Office. Their use and disposal are a matter for local decisions. West Yorkshire police have informed me that research has been commissioned to investigate the number of visitors attending every front counter help desk in their force area. Decisions to close helpdesks or reduce hours of opening have been taken after consideration of the results of this research.

Prisons

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 October 2005, Official Report, column 490W, on the Prison Service, what proportion of the prison population has no recorded religious beliefs; and how many prisons have a multi-faith chaplaincy team that (a) includes and (b) does not include a representative of non-religious beliefs.

Fiona Mactaggart: At the end of February 2006, 32 per cent. of prisoners in prison establishments in England and Wales were recorded as having no religious affiliation. Chaplaincy teams include chaplains from a range of faith traditions depending on need and local circumstances. They would not normally include a representative of non religious beliefs. Chaplaincy teams provide pastoral support to prisoners and staff of all faiths, and none. Prisons provide a range of other support services and activities for those who do not wish to avail themselves of chaplaincy services.

Prisons

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2005, Official Report, column 557W, on prison food, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that only halal meat is served to Muslim prisoners in all Prison Service establishments.

Fiona Mactaggart: Prisons are required to offer a multi-choice menu. When a halal meat or poultry menu is offered, an alternative non-halal meat or poultry choice must be provided and clearly identified on a published menu.

Probation Service

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been made about (a) Essex and (b) Southend probation services in each year since 1997; and how many of those complaints have been upheld in each year.

Fiona Mactaggart: A National Complaints Procedure, agreed by the Secretary of State, enables local probation areas to handle complaints. Unresolved local complaints are escalated to the independent Prison and Probation Ombudsman. The following table lists complaints made against Essex Probation and the number upheld in each year from 2001. Information is not available for the Southend probation service.
	The following table shows the numbers of complaints received in total by Essex probation area since 1 September 2001 for each completed time period. The figures contain both formal and informal complaints. The number upheld column refers to the number of complaints where the area has accepted validity in the complaint and action has been taken. The following figures are not comparable to the figures collected by the independent Prison and Probation Ombudsman.
	
		
			  Number received Number upheld 
		
		
			 September 2001-March 2002 8 1 
			 April 2002-March 2003 23 2 
			 April 2003-December 2003 24 2 
			 January 2004-December 2004 21 3 
			 January 2005-December 2005 13 2

Probation Service

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in (a) England and Wales and (b) Lancashire were returned to prison after violating their probation conditions in each year since 2000.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 27 March 2006
	The table shows the number of recalls to custody for the whole of England and Wales, for each fiscal year since 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2005. The figures include recalls of those released on the Home Detention Curfew Scheme. The information is not broken down by county and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Total number of recalls 
		
		
			 200001 3,182 
			 200102 5,086 
			 200203 8,388 
			 200304 11,215 
			 200405 11,081

Schools (Sexual Harassment)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sexual harassment cases have been recorded in secondary schools in (a) Romford, (b) Havering, (c) Greater London and (d) England and Wales in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department for Education and Skills does not record the information that you have requested.

Serious Organised Crime and Police Act

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many protests have been granted permission by the police under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 since it came into force.

Charles Clarke: The Commissioner of the Metropolis is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the force. I have passed your question to him and asked him to respond to you directly. I will arrange for a copy of the reply to be placed in the House Library.

Vandalism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of vandalism were reported in (a) Southend and (b) Essex in each year since 1990.

Hazel Blears: The requested information is given in the tables. Offences of vandalism are recorded within the criminal damage group classification. Crime statistics for Southend are recorded at Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) level; and for the offence of criminal damage are available from 200001 to 200405.
	
		Table 1: Recorded offences of criminal damage1990 to 1997 -- Number
		
			 Period Southend CDRP Essex police force area 
		
		
			 1990  14,265 
			 1991  15,631 
			 1992  16,959 
			 1993  17,293 
			 1994  17,968 
			 1995  18,286 
			 1996  20,381 
			 1997  18,845 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the revised counting rules for recorded crime, which came into effect on 1 April 1998. Therefore, these figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 2: Recorded offences of criminal damage199899 to 200102 -- Number
		
			 Period Southend CDRP Essex police force area 
		
		
			 199899  18,834 
			 19992000  21,766 
			 200001 3,277 24,673 
			 200102 3,267 26,990 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 3: Recorded offences of criminal damage200203 to 200405 -- Number
		
			 Period Southend CDRP Essex police force area 
		
		
			 200203 3,598 30,337 
			 200304 4,210 34,253 
			 200405 4,308 32,406 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Violent Crime

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2006, Official Report, columns 8389W, on violent crime, if he will break down the information provided in the categories of (a) other assault and (b) other violence against the person, including the number of rapes.

Fiona Mactaggart: In the period January 1999 to December 2005 the National Offender Management Service has been notified of three rapes committed while the offender was subject to the HOC scheme. To break down further the cases listed under the categories of other assault and other violence against the person would incur disproportionate cost.

Wandsworth Council

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was provided to Wandsworth council to tackle antisocial behaviour in the last year for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: A wide range of funding streams across government have a positive impact on tackling antisocial behaviour at a local level. For example, Neighbourhood Renewal programmes which focus on the most deprived areas and give practitioners and local communities a real opportunity to turn their neighbourhoods around; the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) through their work on schools and parenting contribute to preventing problems escalating and ensuring families get the support they need.
	The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and their work in tackling litter and fly tipping which can often blight neighbourhoods where antisocial behaviour and crime can take hold; and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) who provide the opportunity to divert young people from the destructive and damaging involvement in antisocial behaviour.
	The Departmental for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) also contributes to ensure a swift and effective criminal justice system for dealing with the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour activity. In relation to specific Home Office funding to tackle anti-social behaviour in the last two financial years we have allocated 25,000 to every CDRP in both England and Wales to fund an antisocial behaviour co-ordinator. This amounts to 9.4 million per annum. Funding for 200506 was part of the Safer, Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF) and this arrangement will continue for the next two years (200607 and 200708).